West Ham Till I Die
Comments
Transfer Gossip

Striker Signings: My Bum is Getting Very Squeaky

It’s 4 July. Pre-season training started yesterday. Since the end of last season we have signed one player – a free transfer, Pablo Zabaleta. I’m getting slightly worried that none of our other targets look even close to signing with us.

Our striker targets seem no closer to signing for us than they were in the middle of May. And as every day passes, the price will increase. We were said to be interested in Cologne’s Modeste, but his club are now trying for a fee of £35 million. Well, good luck with that.

Michy Batshuayi and Manchester City’s Iheanachu remain the top targets, with former Man U striker Chicarito Hernandez also of interest. But none of the three deals look close to completion and there is competition for the first two from Everton and Leicester respectively.

Given the injury records of Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, there’s no doubt we need two top quality strikers. Indeed, it wouldn’t at all surprise me if Carroll was offloaded if a decent offer came in. We need proven goalscorers, not the likes of Andre Gray, a player who scores in fits and starts but isn’t the top class international class player we need.

There are also rumours that Arsenal pair Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott are on West Ham’s radar. Giroud is also being targetted by Everton and a host of French clubs but is said to want to stay in London. He’s never been a player who has particuarly excited me, but you can’t argue with his scoring record, both for club and country. Trouble is, he’s 31 in September, so would we really get more than a couple of seasons out of him? He will certainly be trying very hard this season so he can make the French World Cup squad next summer, but after that? Do we want to pay upwards of £20 million for a two season player?

Theo Walcott would certainly be an upgrade from Feghouli and Snodgrass, and can also play through the centre. But can I see Arsenal releasing him? Not really. But if they did, he’s certainly someone who would get us on our feet if he can become a little more consistent.

The two striker signings will define our season. Get them right and we can aim for the top eight. Get them wrong, and, well….

About us

West Ham Till I Die is a website and blog designed for supporters of West Ham United to discuss the club, its fortunes and prospects. It is operated and hosted by West Ham season ticket holder, LBC radio presenter and political commentator Iain Dale.

More info

Follow us

Contact us

Iain Dale, WHTID, PO Box 663, Tunbridge Wells, TN9 9RZ

Visit iaindale.com, Iain Dale’s personal website & blog.

Get in touch

Copyright © 2024 Iain Dale Limited.