Of course it all depends on avoiding relegation: Who’d be a West Ham scout, data analyst or recruiter just now. Pretty much everything gets put ‘on hold’ for the next eleven games whilst the clubs future is fought out on the pitches of the Premier League. Poor Max Hahn must be thinking about getting on the ‘phone to the headhunters.
However the work behind the scenes is continuing as the ‘hope for the best, plan for the worst and take what comes’ maxim is likely being played out at London stadium. The scouting and shortlisting goes on until the club’s future is secure. Or not.
Armando Gonzales – Summer World Cup success could earn him a Premier League ticket
One of those reported to be on the Hammers’ shortlist for the summer is 22 year old Mexican striker Armando Gonzalez, according to team talk, who claim:
“Celtic are interested in Mexican striker Armando Gonzalez for a potential summer deal, with Martin O’Neill’s side making contact with the entourage of the Chivas de Guadalajara frontman, though they face competition from Barcelona and West Ham.
Most Read on West Ham News
The 22-year-old has been in sensational form for his club, notching 22 goals in 52 games for Chivas and earning plaudits for his clinical finishing…..Sources also state that there are other Premier League sides keen and Bundesliga clubs are keeping tabs on the talented forward. This widespread interest highlights the high regard in which he is held by scouts across Europe.”
Of course the summer World Cup will become a massive shop window for young talent hoping to impress on the world stage:
“Barcelona and West Ham are also keen on the 2003-born Mexican attacking sensation, with scouts likely to watch him in action moving forward and also at the World Cup. Should he perform admirably for his national team, there is a chance Chivas [his manager] could try to squeeze out a better fee, given his contract ends at the end of the current calendar year.”(hardtackle.com)
Whether the Hammers are in a position to move forward with their interest depends entirely what happens over the last eleven games of the season, with bigger issues than summer transfers being decided well before the transfer window opens.