History repeats itself. There would seem to be parallels between [West Ham’s](https://www.claretandhugh.info/discussions-with-jonathan-davids-entourage-underway-sky-report/) search this summer to bring in a new number nine with last years’ efforts to being in a proven goal scorer. Jonathan David, apparently, remains immune to West Ham’s charms this season and is likely to head to Italy.
In a tale of what might have been, Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk – main pic – likewise revealed that last summer, tantalisingly, he spoke to three different clubs before settling on his move to serve A.
One of those he discussed plans with was none other than West Ham coach Julen Lopetegui. Sadly for the Hammers, the in-demand striker Dovbyk chose AS Roma and West Ham chose Niclas Fullkrug: The rest is history as Dovbyk went on to score 12 goals in Seria A and Niclas Fullkrug had the season from hell.
As Dovbyk revealed ([sportwitness.co.uk](https://sportwitness.co.uk/artem-dovbyk-reveals-approach-from-west-ham-speaks-openly-about-hammers-opportunity/)), things might have been different:
_“.. West Ham were also there and I also spoke to the coach…..Some clubs from Saudi Arabia were interested. But I wanted to continue in Europe even though the salary in Saudi Arabia would have been very high. So there were three options: Atletico, West Ham and Roma.”_
Nice to be mentioned in such illustrious company: Probably for his career, Dovbyk made the right call as AS Roma are currently 5th in Serie A and the Hammers are a wobbly 15th in the Premier League.
The challenge for West Ham is to stop the constant rebuttal of interest from top quality players without massively overpaying, to bring new talent to East London. Despite all the upheaval at West Ham, nothing has really changed in the last 12 months