Since his appointment, David Moyes has clearly had eyes focussed on recruiting a top-level striker.
The side have managed just 27 goals this season, with captain Mark Noble the clubs 2nd top scorer with 4 goals – Hardly reminiscent of the days of Dimitri Payet.
The side looked decidedly average during a 4-1 thrashing of Leicester City last night. Even David Moyes was quick to stress post match that recruitment was desperately needed.
Now floating perilously above the relegation places, albeit with a game in hand, an alternative to record signing Sebastien Haller could be the difference between being brought into a dogfight with the likes of Bournemouth and Norwich. And who has the Scotsman lined up? None other than Olivier Giroud.
Originally believed to have been picked up by Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan, talks with the Italian club have stalled of late. What with the World Cup winners seeming happiness to stay in the capital, West Ham have seen an opportunity to strike a loan deal right under the nose of Conte.
Indeed, if a new can’t be ironed out, its believed Inter are ready to turn their attention to prolific striker Alfredo Morelos from Rangers before the end of this month.
Viewed as some by a like-for-like replacement to the departing Andy Carroll, a man as dependable in the air as betting on the Patriots in the Super Bowl, the Hammers will no doubt benefit by the classy operator’s eye for goal, not to mention superb aerial ability.
Starting just 3 times under Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side this season, the 33-year old is all but nailed on to make his Blues departure.
Speaking recently on his desire to leave the club, Giroud commented: “It is going to be difficult to stay at Chelsea. I am going to have a conversation with the coach. There is a very high chance that there will be a change because I am not receiving enough playing time to express myself. For the moment, I am a Chelsea player. I still have a few more matches to play with the club between now and when the transfer window opens. After that, we are going to sit around the table and make the best decision for me. A move to France is a possible solution.”
Despite netting 124 goals in 323 matches for both Arsenal and Chelsea, the Frenchman has always seemed a tad under-appreciated by both sets of fans. Added to that, the striker’s style bears more than a resemblance to current forward Haller. If the side are struggling with plan A, perhaps a Plan B striker would be more befitting.
It’s quite possible, however, that if the Giroud can find his scoring feet early, he may well find a new spiritual home among the Hammers contingent – especially if he can steer us away from relegation.
