OPINION
West Ham could be making a mistake over striker Javier Hernandez after the latest report over the Mexico international’s future this summer.
According to The Sun, La Liga side Valencia are interested in a potential £8million move for Hernandez, with Manuel Pellegrini’s side believed to be willing to sell the forward this summer if they receive the right offer.
Hernandez has spent two seasons at the London Stadium since joining the Hammers for a fee of around £16million in the summer of 2017, but despite the striker finding himself in and out of the side at times over the past two-years, he has still shown his ability to contribute crucial goals for the Hammers.
The Mexico international made 25 appearances for West Ham in the Premier League this season, 11 of which came from the bench, with Pellegrini opting to start Marko Arnautovic ahead of the striker up front at times, yet despite this Hernandez still managed to score seven goals this term.
Hernandez offers something different to the likes of Arnautovic, with the forward coming alive inside the opposition penalty area, which is evidenced by the Mexican taking 1.5 shots per game, with only 0.5 of those attempts coming from outside the penalty area [whoscored.com] this season.
That could suggest that Hernandez offers little for Pellegrini’s side when not being given chances, but the striker still has the technical ability to bring other players into the game, with the Mexico international having a 71.7% passing accuracy per game [whoscored.com] in the Premier League this term
It could be essential West Ham keep hold of Hernandez, with the Hammers likely to lose both Lucas Perez and Andy Carroll, who is out of contract this summer, during the transfer window, which would limit Pellegrini’s attacking options for next term.
Hernandez’s current contract with West Ham is worth £140,000-a-week [Spotrac.com], and although he is not always a guaranteed starter, with the wages of Perez and Carroll of the Hammers’ books Pellegrini’s side might be best to retain the striker at least for another campaign.
It will be interesting to see whether Hernandez remains at the London Stadium next term, but if West Ham can avoid having to sell the Mexican then they should do, as Pellegrini will already be busy trying to find replacements for other departing forwards.