West Ham United are reportedly lining up a January move for Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick. Hammers boss David Moyes wants to reinforce his options upfront in a bid to push for a top-four finish.
Michail Antonio is the only recognised no.9 in the squad, meaning West Ham United are short of cover in the position.
According to Mirror, West Ham are among a host of Premier League clubs to have scouted Patrick Schick in recent months. The Hammers are willing to pay £40million to sign the forward.
While they remain interested in signing the Czech Republic international in the winter transfer window, Bayer Leverkusen are not in a hurry to cash in on their star performer.
Leverkusen have a top-three Bundesliga finish and a return to the Champions League in their sights, the report adds.
West Ham consider £40million transfer move for Euro 2020 hotshot Patrik Schick | @JamesNursey https://t.co/0GtQViuKGB
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 28, 2021
Schick, 25, has had an outstanding 2021, starring in the European Championships for the Czech Republic and finishing the tournament as joint top-scorer alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. He is currently one of the top scorers in the Bundesliga this season, netting an outstanding 16 times in just 14 games.
The lanky centre-forward’s eye-catching performances with club and country have made him a hot commodity in the transfer market, with West Ham keen for his signature.
Patrick Schick to West Ham – An exciting attacking option for David Moyes?
West Ham have been excellent so far this season and are eyeing a top-four spot after finishing sixth last term. They have a bigger and better squad this time around but the striker department needs bolstering, with Michail Antonio the only senior option available to David Moyes.
After a bright start to the campaign, Antonio has gone off the boil and that should be a big concern for Moyes, even though goals have smoothly flowed for the Hammers. And considering he is 31 with a bad injury record, West Ham need adequate quality and cover up top.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick has emerged as a target for West Ham. Tall, rangy and strong with excellent aerial ability and a decent turn of pace through the ground, Schick could make an immediate impact at the London Stadium.
The 25-year-old is a clever striker who not only bursts into life inside the box but also possesses the ability to score from long distances—as evidenced from his sensational halfway line lob against Scotland in Euro 2020.
The Czech Republic international is adept at holding the ball up, bringing his teammates into the game and creating goal-scoring opportunities. He has a rasping shot on his left foot, with the centre-forward’s knack of positioning himself at the right place and at the right time, making him a difficult player to mark.
At 25, Schick is about to embark upon the peak years of his playing career, so West Ham can hugely benefit from acquiring a player of his talents and experience. However, it would be a big ask for the Hammers to persuade Bayer Leverkusen into selling their prized asset next month.