West Ham manager Nuno celebrates beating Newcastle United.placeholder image
West Ham manager Nuno celebrates beating Newcastle United. | AFP via Getty Images
Nuno Espirito Santo wants another striker in January but West Ham must be wise with their investment.
West Ham continue to be linked with a transfer move for several strikers across the world ahead of the January transfer window, but must learn their lesson from previous spending mistakes.
Nuno Espirito Santo is beginning to turn the tide after taking over from Graham Potter but a prolific bagsman to lead the line is still missing at the London Stadium. Callum Wilson bagged a brace against AFC Bournemouth last time out and has goals in him but, at 33 years old and injury prone, needs his minutes managed.
It’s expected that the Hammers will allow Niclas Fullkrug to leave in January and call time on his dire stay at West Ham. The club paid £27 million to sign the German international from Borussia Dortmund last year but it’s been a story of repeated injuries and just three goals since then.
West Ham linked with January transfer targets
West Ham must think about that Fullkrug move ahead of spending in January. Hammers News carry the latest reports of transfer targets with Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito and Cruzeiro star Kaio Jorge linked with a move to the club.
It’s expected that an outlay of over £42 million would be needed for Esposito while Jorge would come on a £22 million fee. West Ham are reportedly willing to pay that figure for the latter.
Esposito has struggled for minutes at Milan in the league but has shown up with a goal and two assists in three Champions League starts this term. Meanwhile, Jorge has bagged 21 goals in the Brazilian league.
Those are respectable figures but West Ham must not fall in the same trap that has got them, as well as Premier League rivals, before - goalscoring exploits abroad do not translate into automatic Premier League form.
Nuno must target players with proven Premier League goalscoring form
That proved to be the case with Fullkrug and it’s a trend that Arsenal and Manchester United are seeing with their marquee summer signings Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko struggling for consistency despite prolific previous campaigns.
West Ham are in a precarious position in the Premier League. The club must sign a new striker in January and that new arrival must be able to hit the ground running. Any incoming who needs six months to adjust is useless should the Hammers find themselves in an imminent relegation battle.
Nuno and the club are better off turning to a player who, even if slightly less prolific, has proven that they can stick the ball in the back of the net in the Premier League. Those options are at a premium but are out there.
Gabriel Jesus is close to returning to fitness at Arsenal but may struggle to get in the team. The Brazilian needs minutes ahead of the World Cup and has been linked with a possible move to West Ham.
Ivan Toney is another who may be thinking about the World Cup and reportedly considering a short term return to the Premier League, with several clubs linked. Even Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee would arrive knowing the league, despite a lack of goals for the Red Devils this term.
In other news, West Ham 'leading the race' to sign 33-goal Champions League striker with Leeds United and Wolves circling.
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