West Ham United will have to cross the name of Strasbourg striker Joaquin Panichelli off their list of potential summer targets after the Argentine ruptured his ACL.
Despite spending over £40 million on Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe in the January transfer window, there has been a considerable uptick recently in reports claiming that another centre-forward is high on Nuno Espirito Santo’s off-season wishlist.
Joaquin Panichelli has been in electrifying form under Gary O’Neil – the former West Ham United midfielder-turned-Strasbourg head coach – but his breakout season was brought to a shuddering halt on Albiceleste duty.
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Malick Diouf playing for West Ham against Newcastle United. Mateus Fernandes playing for West Ham against Tottenham.
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West Ham United-linked Joaquin Panichelli out of the World Cup
Before Friday’s nervy 2-1 victory over Mauritania, Julian Alvarez, Emi Martinez, Alexis Mac Allister and co donned shirts with messages of support for their stricken teammate.
ESPN report that Panichelli, who broke down in tears when he realised his World Cup dream had died the most painful death, could miss around eight months of action.
Joaquin Panichelli - FBL-FRA-CUP-STRASBOURG-REIMS
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“Tests conducted on forward Joaquin Panichelli confirmed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee,” reads a statement posted by Argentina’s X account.
“Stay strong, Joaco! We are with you.”
West Ham reportedly took ‘an interest’ in Panichelli ahead of the January transfer window, according to the West Ham Way. After a brief lull at the end of 2025, the former Alaves, River Plate and Mirandes striker found form again following the departure of Liam Rosenior and the appointment of O’Neil.
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Panichelli had scored 20 goals in his debut season in France, and was leading the way in the Golden Boot race.
Whether West Ham would have been able to either afford him or lure him to the London Stadium is anyone’s guess – Barcelona have been linked recently, alongside Atletico Madrid – but missing out on a potential big-money transfer is just another disappointment Panichelli will have to cope with during months in rehab.
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Santiago Castro of Bologna celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match between Bologna FC and Parma Calcio at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium on December 04, 2025 in Bologna, Italy.
Santiago Castro and Armando Gonzalez are ones to watch
Despite claims to the contrary, Callum Wilson has not signed a new contract at the London Stadium. The veteran will be a free-agent in June.
Pablo Felipe is yet to open his Premier League account, and Taty Castellanos’ influence is waning after a bright start.
So, provided West Ham remain a top-flight club beyond May, those ever-increasing striker links point towards the arrival of another number nine.
Bologna’s Santiago Castro has been mentioned in the Italian press. Ditto Jonathan David, out of favour at Juventus. According to claims out of Mexico, West Ham contacted Armando ‘Hormiga’ Gonzalez of Chivas too.
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