Having for the first time in many years a striker lineup which everyone is satisfied with, that coul change very quickly. Marko Arnautovic wants out and is pushing for a move to China. Javier Hernandez is pushing for a loan or permanent move to Valencia, with whom he is rumoured to have agreed personal terms. The club would bite off the hands of anyone prepared to pay £12 million for Andy Carroll, while Lucas Perez might also be moving to Spain.
OK, not all of those moves will happen. Indeed, none of them might, but it might be that by the end of the month we only have Carroll, Perez and Xande Silva left to choose from. Getting replacements in the January transfer window is not easy and I doubt very much we would be able to sign a better player than the players we are likely to lose.
Today we are linked with Maxi Gomez, a 22 year old Uruguyan international striker from Celta Vigo, for whom he has scored 25 goals in 48 games. Also the Chelsea striker Oliver Giraud, whose best days are behind him. In fact, we’re being linked with everyone.
Arnautovic fits into this team like no other striker. The team has been formed around him and if he leaves it will really disrupt us. Yet I detect no real will to persuade him to stay. Perhaps his reasons for leaving are insurmountable. Let’s face it, the only reason is the money, and West Ham cannot compete with the sums apparently being offered. If we can get £45-50 million I think most people think we should accept that, but the current offer of £31 is not enough.
In my view, if that deal comes off we need to get a temporary loan replacement and then go all out to buy a top striker in the summer.
What say you?