Football journalist and transfer insider Dean Jones has been speaking on the latest edition of the Touchline Talk YouTube show to discuss all things transfer related.
One of the clubs mentioned by Jones was West Ham United following their London derby victory on the weekend against Tottenham Hotspur.
Do West Ham need to sign another striker in January?
Yes
No
It was Michail Antonio’s goal that provided the difference between the two sides with the striker continuing his fine run of form against the Lilywhites of four goals in his last six league appearances against Spurs.
The Jamaican is the only recognised senior striker at the club currently in David Moyes’ squad and has been no stranger to the injury table in the past (via Transfermarkt).
With a lack of options at striker the topic of discussion, Jones had the following to say on West Ham’s transfer plans for the upcoming January market.
(14:00) “I’ll be amazed if they didn’t sign a striker at the very least. I mean, they’re always linked with strikers, aren’t they West Ham? But they never actually sign them.
“[Andrea] Belotti is the latest one being linked with them. He’s refusing to sign a new deal at Torino. I think he’s actually going to stay in Italy though, I think he’ll go to AC Milan or Fiorentina.
“But, yeah, they need someone to backup Antonio because if they’re going to compete at the top level you’ve got to have somebody that can come in. I know they have got options in that squad but you could do with somebody else. One more name in there to compete and rotate.”
TIF Thoughts on West Ham’s striker dilemma…
We have been immensely impressed with Antonio over the course of the last couple of seasons and the way he adapted to the role of playing as the Hammers’ lone striker.
When it comes to versatile players, Antonio has to be up there with the best given the number of different positions the 31-year-old has played during his time with West Ham.
And in the eight Premier League games he has played up top this season, Antonio has already been able to find the back of the net on six occasions (via Transfermarkt).
However, his injury record is a bit of a concern so we do believe Moyes should be looking to provide some backup for Antonio in January to take the pressure off the Jamaican playing on such a frequent basis.
In other news: ‘Typical old West Ham’ – Journalist reacts as WHUFC eye transfer with ‘shades of Wilshere’