OPINION
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini is on the hunt for another striker in January, with star forward Marko Arnautovic needing someone to lighten the load on his shoulders.
Pellegrini does have players like Javier Hernandez, Lucas Perez and Andy Carroll to call upon in that position, but for differing reasons all three of those options are not ideal.
The Chilean will be looking for someone he can rely upon to put in a solid display every time he is called upon, with Arnautovic needing a rest at certain points due to a chronic knee injury.
According to The Sun, Pellegrini has now turned his attention to Bayern Munich striker Sandro Wagner, with the 30-year-old frustrated with a lack of first-team minutes at the Bundesliga giants.
The newspaper claim that Pellegrini is eyeing a £6million deal for the Germany international, with the giant 6ft 4in hitman [Transfermarkt] seen as an ideal Premier League player.
Crystal Palace are also said to be in the hunt for the 30-year-old, but if West Ham win out in this race then Pellegrini will have pulled off a stunning January coup.
Wagner has vast experience at the top level having spent years in the Bundesliga with a variety of teams before eventually securing his big move to Bayern.
While his time at the club has not necessarily worked out, his scoring record of 11 goals in 34 games for the club illustrates his efficiency, with many of those having been substitute appearances.
His colossal build means that he should find the transition to Premier League football rather easy, and would give Pellegrini a plan B, just as Andy Carroll does.
On top of all this, a deal being on the cards for just £6million means Wagner would be an absolute steal for West Ham, with the veteran still having several good years left in him.
All in all this is a no-brainer for West Ham, who must now set about securing Wagner’s services in a stunning January deal.