West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing a striker when the transfer window reopens next month.
The Hammers have struggled for goals this season, managing only 22 strikes in 14 Premier League games. A lack of productivity in front of goal has been one the big reasons for their underdoing, with the east Londoners going into the World Cup break 16th in the table.
According to The Sun, West Ham boss David Moyes is hopeful of adding a new striker to his squad after a difficult first part of the 2022/23 campaign. It is not clear at the moment how much the board will give Moyes to spend during the winter transfer window, as the Scotsman looks to turn things around quickly after the Premier League season resumes on Boxing Day.
West Ham were among the big spenders in the summer transfer window, splashing over £160million on new signings. Gianluca Scamacca has failed to live up to the lofty expectations of the fans, scoring only twice in 13 league outings, while club-record signing Lucas Paqueta is yet to open his account after eight appearances.
With Moyes aiming to sign a new striker in January, here are three options he could consider.
#Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach)
France international Marcus Thuram could be available in January given he is out of contract at Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of the season.
Gladbach need to sell Thuram next month if they want to avoid losing him for nothing in the summer, and West Ham must look to take advantage of the situation. Strong, energetic and versatile, the French forward fits the profile of striker David Moyes would like in attack. Thuram can hold the ball up, play with his back to goal and use his pace to get into the box to finish off chances.
With 10 goals and three assists in 15 Bundesliga appearances this season, the 25-year-old, who is currently on World Cup duty with France in Qatar, would be a bargain signing if Moyes’ West Ham could secure his signature.
#Walid Cheddira (Bari)
Walid Cheddira’s future has been the subject of much speculation of late, with the 24-year-old forward being linked with a number of clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
The Morocco international, who plays for Bari, is currently the top scorer in Serie B with nine goals. Overall, he has netted 15 goals so far this season and his good form earned him a call-up to Morocco’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
The Moroccan has good strength and pace to burn, and his physicality could suit the demands of Premier League football. As a result, Cheddira might be viewed as the ideal player to provide competition for Scamacca up front.
Valued between £6 million to £7 million, West Ham could take a punt on the Bari striker.
#Vedat Muriqi (RCD Mallorca)
Vedat Muriqi has become somewhat of a cult hero at RCD Mallorca after his stunning, and somewhat surprising, run of form this season in La Liga.
After two difficult years with Lazio, Muriqi, 28, joined Mallorca initially on loan in January and helped them achieve safety in La Liga. Mallorca turned his loan move permanent over the summer and the striker has repaid the club’s faith by banging eight goals in 12 appearances—which puts him joint-second in the La Liga goal-scorers’ standings.
A battering ram with great heading ability and physicality, the Kosovo international would give West Ham a much-needed goal threat which Scamacca has failed to provide in the first three months of the season.
Muriqi has the required qualities to thrive in the Premier League and could sort out West Ham’s goalscoring problems for the foreseeable future.
