OPINION
With Marko Arnautovic seemingly on his way at West Ham Manuel Pellegrini knows that he needs to plug what is going to be a massive void up front – but finding the right target to take the Austrian’s place is a task easier said than done.
The Daily Mail claim on their website that the Irons talisman is inching ever closer to the exit door at the London Stadium after telling the club he wants to depart for a big money move to China and revealing the names on the Hammers’ shortlist to take the place of the 29-year-old.
Chelsea duo Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, Bournemouth star Callum Wilson and Genoa hotshot Krzysztof Piatek are said to be those interesting the Hammers and despite having no Premier League experience, it is the Serie A star, said to have been scouted by Pellegrini’s transfer team, who the Irons need to be chasing.
Firstly, his goal scoring record has been nothing short of outstanding this season, netting at a rate of nearly a goal-a-game with 19 strikes in just 21 appearances across all competitions.
Secondly, and perhaps most notably, the 23-year-old is drawing attention from some of football’s big boys, with Spanish publication AS stating that the La Liga heavyweights have made contact with the player’s representatives and that Genoa have admitted the Bernabeu outfit’s hunt.
Now, is Piatek going to be a starter for Real? Not straight away, while he would certainly find playing time easier to come by in east London which is why they have to try stun the Spaniards.
It would be a massive coup for West Ham but one that they need to pursue with real vigour, for Piatek’s signing seals them not only a top quality talent but an almost guaranteed pay off in the future, with the same sort of clubs likely to be sniffing around if he continues his fine form.
Piatek is the most exciting name off the list and the one which can bring West Ham future glory. The others, while fine Premier League performers, are known quantities and are hardly going to get the fans off their seats.