Having gone through the ups and downs of the last week of the transfer window without adding to their front line options, Hammers owners and management will have been dismayed at seeing how fast their striker options crumbled with the [Niclas Fullkrug](https://www.claretandhugh.info/niclas-fullkrugs-latest-calf-injury-update-west-ham-news/) injury on Thursday evening. The poor guy didn’t even complete the warm up before a calf muscle injury ended his international break.
Which, after all the hype and huffing and puffing and claims of ‘working night and day’ laid the West Ham squad reality out for everyone to see. One fit thirty three year old on a free transfer – Callum Wilson – who was rejected by Newcastle as too injury prone. That is the only goal scoring option left open to West Ham just three weeks into a Premier League campaign.
Regrets? You’d hope so.
However the peculiar nature of the transfer rules mean there are still options to sign out-of-contract players after the normal window has closed. Apart from the usual flotsam and jetsam of injured, past it and troublesome mischief makers, one very attractive, hugely talented striker has just forced a contract end and is available to West Ham right now on a free contract.
What better use of the Nayef Aguerd €20 million transfer fee than on the ‘signing on-bonus’ and salary for a hugely talented, fast, goal scoring proven striker.
**Just for once, West Ham board, read the room and the state of ‘your’ club.**
Former Santos striker and 2023 West Ham target **Marcos Leonardo** was on David Moyes list back in 2023 when he was described as the ‘[Special Antonio successor”.](https://www.footballfancast.com/west-ham-news-marcos-leonardo-transfer-rumours-david-moyes-london-stadium/) Two years on and after his move to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal failed (who’d have thought it) as he couldn’t get named in their match day squad and has forced a contract termination-and is now a free agent.
Tim Steidten even held talks with the Brazilian – who’d be a shoe-in at West Ham with three countrymen already in the match day squad. Reported wages at Al Hilal of €96k a week – about £83,000 – would place the 22 year old in the middle of squad earnings at West Ham.
Just for once, you’d hope West Ham might show some ambition. David Sullivan has a golden opportunity to spike the guns of huge swathes of protesters with a Leonardo-shaped ‘gift’ to Potter and a striker-starved fanbase who have seen their side operate without a proper replacement for Michail Antonio for two seasons.