Blogs

Gold: West Ham ‘desperate’ for centre forward

|

West Ham co-chairman David Gold insists that the club are “desperate” to sign two proven Premier League strikers this summer.

The Hammers are set for an overhaul up front, with the club hoping to offload Enner Valencia despite having rejected a bid from Mexican side Tigres, and the departure of loan signing Jonathan Calleri.

Their departures would leave manager Slaven Bilic with the currently injured Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, along with youngster Ashley Fletcher, as the recognised centre forward options next season.

The Serbian manager did utilise natural left winger Andre Ayew up front last season, but Gold insists that the club are on the hunt for some top flight proven talent to lead the line.

He told talkSPORT on Thursday’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: “We are focused first and foremost on bringing in two strikers.

“It’s clear to most fans that we are desperate for centre-forwards.

“You have to spend your money wisely but it must be on strikers, particularly strikers that have had experience with Premier League football – the very best we can afford.

“That is what we are working on now. David Sullivan [Gold’s co-chairman] is working day and night in an effort to solve this problem.”

The Hammers have been linked with moves for Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud and Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho in their pursuit of Premier League strikers, although are said to face competition for the duo who are both are said to be valued at around the £20million mark.

West Ham managed to score 47 goals across the whole of last season’s Premier League campaign, the 11th highest, and it saw midfielder Michail Antonio finish as the club’s top scorer with nine goals.

Carroll, Sakho and makeshift striker Ayew scored just 14 goals between them, instead leaving the goal scoring duties down to the likes of Manuel Lanzini, who finished the season with eight goals.

Share this article