Several strikers were linked with West Ham United ahead of the winter window before Castellanos and Pablo Felipe became the club’s new frontmen.
Highest profile of the bunch, as it turned out, was Crystal Palace striker Eddie NKetiah. The forward was apparently earmarked for a January transfer to east London for £27 million, which sadly hit the rocks solely because N’Ketiah got injured weeks before the deal could be finalised.
The striker hasn’t played since so West Ham likely dodged a big bullet there.
One of the more curious links in December was to Swansea City’s Zan Vipotnik: As it turned out the Slovenian remained at Swansea but has had a hugely successful season with 17 championship goals so far and two on international duty against Montenegro last night.
Žan Vipotnik transfer
December’s rumoured interest in Vipotnik came to nothing as the Hammers brought in Castellanos and Pablo
Reportedly the Hammers’ recruitment team are keeping a watching brief on the 24 year old who – whisper it quietly – might be an option to move for – in the worst case scenario of the Hammers having to play in the championship next season.
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He’ll certainly be less that the £27 million that the Irons paid for Taty Castellanos and – in the championship at least – likely a better goals per game ratio than the Argentine who has so far scored three goals in his Hammers career.
A traditional, tall target man, Vipotnik is one to keep an eye on as a typical championship journeyman – if that turns out to be the Hammers’ need next season. We can but hope that his is one signature that becomes unnecessary at London Stadium and the Hammers’ raise their transfer sights in the summer if Premier League survival results.