Graham Potter West Ham Dynamo Kyiv badge
(Credit: Imago)
Jonathan Burnett
Sat 22 March 2025 16:40, UK
West Ham United are somehow once again on the lookout for another new striker.
Graham Potter has inherited a dysfunctional squad since arriving at the London Stadium in January, with the striker department in need of reinforcements, which have come in the form of Evan Ferguson.
Ferguson’s half-season loan spell from Brighton is yet to get going with just five substitute cameos and zero goals thus far, and it remains to be seen if West Ham will want to make his move permanent.
With a crucial transfer window ahead as Potter and Kyle Macauley look to reverse the damage done by Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui last summer, the Irons are now looking left-field for an option up front.
Evan Ferguson
Evan Ferguson hasn’t made much impact since arriving at West Ham (Credit: Imago)
West Ham prepare for Vanat transfer battle
A centre-forward will be at the top of Potter’s transfer wishlist this summer, with Michail Antonio still injured long-term, fellow veteran Danny Ings likely to leave and Niclas Fullkrug in the same boat.
Player Appearances Starts Goals Assists Games Missed
Michail Antonio 15 11 1 1 17
Niclas Fullkrug 11 5 2 1 20
Danny Ings 17 2 1 2 3
Evan Ferguson 5 0 0 0 1
West Ham’s four centre-forwards have made next to no impact this season
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West Ham have therefore, according to TBR Football on 22 March, set their sights on Dynamo Kyiv frontman Vladyslav Vanat, but they’re far from the only Premier League club interested in him.
Vanat, 23, has netted 14 goals in 27 games to become the Ukraine Premier League’s top scorer this season, and that’s alerted Brentford, Fulham, Leeds United and Wolves ahead of the summer window.
Graham Potter’s early West Ham tenure has been hindered by a lack of striker options (Credit: Imago)
West Ham must act fast to secure Vanat transfer
Vanat has managed two goals in his 10 caps for Ukraine’s national team already, and with a Premier League move looking set to be on the cards, West Ham have to ensure they’re at the front of the queue.
Though the coming transfer window could see players leaving the clubs competing with the Irons for Vanat, such as Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa at Brentford.
While Wolves frontman Matheus Cunha could also move on, they and Fulham, who have Raul Jimenez and West Ham target Rodrigo Muniz to choose from, already possess quality options in the final third.
Leeds’ status as a Premier League club is also by no means secure, and West Ham will hope their dearth of options in this area could convince Vanat to choose a move to the London Stadium above all others.
After Vanat found the back of the net against Belgium for Ukraine this week, he is ready for the next step up to the Premier League.
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