West Ham United are looking for a new striker with the Premier League outfit discussing Jonathan Burkardt, Brazil international Yuri Alberto, and Brighton and Hove Albion frontman Evan Ferguson.
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With Niclas Fullkrug yet to hit full fitness following an injury absence, and with Michail Antonio now set for a long period of rehabilitation, Julen Lopetegui lined up without an orthodox centre-forward during Monday’s clash with relegation rivals Wolves.
Fortunately, Lopetegui does still have arguably the finest attacker outside of the proverbial ‘big six’ at his disposal.
West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen scored a stunning, Mo Salah-esque winner 18 second-half minutes after assisting Tomas Soucek’s opener in that 2-1 victory over Gary O’Neil’s Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Hammers will not rest on their laurels, however, with the London Stadium side looking to bring in outside hire rather than promote Bowen to the number nine role full-time as they wait for Fullkrug to make his mark.
TBR can confirm that West Ham remain interested in Corinthians talisman Yuri Alberto.
Brighton may be willing to make Evan Ferguson available for loan, meanwhile, as technical director Tim Steidten runs the rule over Mainz ace Jonathan Burkardt.
Brighton's Irish striker #28 Evan Ferguson celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Brig...
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
West Ham United eye Brighton’s Evan Ferguson among other striker targets
Yuri Alberto is a long-time target for West Ham United.
The Hammers had a £14 million bid rejected in the summer of 2023, as confirmed at the time by Corinthians’ president. A year-and-a-half later, Yuri Alberto is in the midst of a career-best run of form in the final third.
He ended the 2024 Brazilian campaign with 31 goals from 57 games.
Yuri Alberto admits the Premier League is ‘a dream’ of his, too, even if he remains torn over a January departure from his South American homeland. There is considerable interest from other English-based clubs, however.
TBR have been told that Yuri Alberto is admired at Everton, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest too.
Evan Ferguson is another likely to be in high demand. While Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler has played down the chances of a loan move in the winter window, clubs in Spain, France, Italy and Germany are watching Ferguson’s situation closely at The Amex.
While still valued at around £60 million, Ferguson has struggled to rediscover his best form after suffering ankle and knee issues in 2023/24. The Republic of Ireland international has scored only three Premier League goals since his coming-of-age hat-trick against Newcastle back in September last year.
Tim Steidten wants Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt at West Ham
Ferguson is a player West Ham appreciate.
But if technical director Tim Steidten gets his wish, the London Stadium could soon be home instead to Jonathan Burkardt. The Mainz ace is a player Steidten thinks can make an immediate impact in English football. It is also believed that a deal could be on the cards in the January window.
Burkardt, like Ferguson, has had his issues with injury.
The twice-capped German has bounced back far stronger, however, with 10 goals from 13 Bundesliga appearances for a mid-table Mainz outfit in 2024/25.
A physical and athletic centre-forward with a thumping finish in his locker, Burkardt is a player Steidten will know well from his time working behind the scenes at Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen.
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