OPINION
AZ Alkmaar striker Wout Weghorst has reportedly been identified as a transfer target by West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini according to RTV Oost, and his capture must end Andy Carroll’s playing career at the club.
The 25-year-old’s statistics tell fans all they need to know; Weghorst netted an incredible 27 goals last season for the third placed Dutch outfit in 37 appearances, which is enough to tell anybody that he could set the top-flight on fire next term and be a contender for the golden boot.
The thought of Weghorst, who stands at a colossus 6’5″ (source: Transfermarkt) joining West Ham would be enough to make the best defenders in the Premier League be quaking in their boots, as well as the rival managers of other teams.
However, the Dutchman moving to the London Stadium must end Carroll’s stay in East London.
The former England international’s goal-scoring record at the club is poor, scoring just three strikes last season, which has not been helped by his injury record, and Pellegrini has a relatively easy choice to make – keep a player who has been inconsistent, or sign a player with a prolific goal tally that would get fans excited again.
A natural target man, Weghorst is a like-for-like replacement for the English giant and gives the Chilean manager that powerful option up front – it is not hard to guess which of the pair the supporters would want.
At the age of 25, Weghorst is only going to get better and better, yet at the age of 29, Carroll is passing his best and may struggle to attract interest from other clubs.
Weghorst’s efforts for his side in the Eredivisie recently earned him a spot in Holland’s national team, and he most certainly deserves to be playing in a competitive league based on his stunning form.
His 27 goals say it all – and now the possibility of his potential arrival will end Carroll’s career at West Ham.