West Ham have already started work on their summer transfer plans.
The club’s search for an effective and consistent goalscorer has spanned decades, with many strikers coming and going without making much of an impact and subsequently leaving the Hammers having to rue pretty hefty losses on their investments.
In recent years alone, Simone Zaza, Lucas Perez, Sebastien Haller, Gianluca Scamacca and Danny Ings have all been signed to become the club’s saviour up top. All but Ings came and went quickly, but even the Englishman has failed to impose himself as a clinical presence in West Ham’s attack.
Brighton’s Evan Ferguson was the latest striker to sign up for the cause in January. The 20-year-old joined on a six-month loan deal and has a reputation for being one of the best up-and-coming goal scorers in the Premier League.
There is some confidence that he can end the club’s striker curse before the end of the season, but he is by no means a long-term fix.
Given the terms of Ferguson’s loan, which isn’t believed to include a obligation or option to buy clause, it’s expected that the Republic of Ireland international will return to the south coast regardless of how successful he is in claret and blue.
That would leave West Ham with the frustration of having to go into another transfer window with a striker at the top of their shopping list.
West Ham ‘in talks’ with striker target
According to West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee, the Hammers recently met with the representatives of Lille striker Jonathan David and are potential move in the summer.
The Canada international’s contract expires in the summer and will be available on a free transfer.
David’s record of 83 goals in 166 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille has made him one of the most sought after strikers in Europe, and his impending availability will no doubt have several clubs across the continent on high alert.
As a result, West Ham appear to have moved quickly to open negotiations with David ahead of the summer in the hope they can get an edge of their potential rivals for his signature.
It’s accepted that being successful in the race for the striker is “unlikely” at this stage but it’s clear the club is committed to getting ahead in their efforts to bring a proven goalscorer to the London Stadium this summer.
Signing a striker of David’s calibre would be perfect for Graham Potter, who has a very small margin of error in his hunt for a long term striker solution.
The Lille forward’s goal scoring record for club and country speaks for itself, while the 25-year-old’s record at KAA Gent, which earned him a move to Lille in 2020, was also impressive – 52 goal contributions in 83 first-team appearances.
He scores goals wherever he goes, including a record of 31 goals in 59 caps for his country, so it makes sense for Graham Potter to try and convince the Canadian that West Ham is the best place to continue his career before other clubs can get in his ear this summer.
