West Ham have gone about their summer transfer business looking to reshape their squad. After a relatively satisfactory season, the fans who saw their team play good football and show sufficient pedigree to compete with the big clubs would have been slightly disappointed at having missed out on an otherwise improbable Champions League spot having been in and around the qualification spots throughout the league. They finished in the 7th place with a club record 62 points thereby securing a Europa qualifiers spot.
The Hammers are preparing a grand start in their new stadium Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park which has a seating capacity of 60,000 and they have shown intent throughout the window having being proactive in the market and they have also tied-down their star performers from last season on longer contracts.
West Ham have repeatedly been linked with strikers all throughout the summer, with none of their front men putting in convincing performances at a stretch last season. And their manager, Slaven Bilic has reiterated that despite having a good roster of strikers they were looking to add a striker who would add quality to the side.
With doubts over his game time, unsettled striker Diafra Sakho had handed in his transfer request early on in the summer but West Ham have refused to sell him till the time a suitable replacement is signed. And a long while has passed since and West Ham have been unsuccessful in their quest thus far. Recently the Chairman admitted most of their targets were holding out for Champions League and West Ham might look at altering their transfer plan in this regard. The Hammers have been in talks with Carlos Bacca for several weeks, but the Colombia international has been stalling on whether he wanted to move to the Premier League. Milan are willing to sell Bacca to West Ham, but the former Sevilla forward has his doubts over a move to East London as he is holding out for a switch to a club playing in the Champions League.
West Ham are looking at different alternatives and not necessarily a marquee signing in this regard. Three players who could solve the Hammer’s striker conundrum are-
WILFRIED BONY
The Ivorian hasn’t been able to settle at Manchester City and has started just 17 matches in all competitions for them. West Ham were said to be interested in the striker before he joined Swansea and with Bony looking for regular playing time would be a good fit for West Ham. Despite his struggles at City, he is still considered as someone who can trouble Premier League defences in a team which suits his playing style. But his wage demands are said to a stumbling for a club not in the Champions League.
SAIDO BERAHINO
The want-away West Brom striker is on the list of clubs like Stoke City and Sunderland but will be a good fit at ambitious West Ham. Though he had an underwhelming last season, with a meagre 4 goals to show for it, at 22-years of age he will be a long-term solution.
His pace and finishing ability will be an additional foil to the likes of Payet and Lanzini and his contrasting style will help him strike a partnership with Andy Carroll up top if the need arises.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE
The 32-year old Dutch international had reportedly been offered to West Ham along with a host of other clubs. He brings along undoubted Premier League pedigree having scored 144 league goals for Arsenal and Manchester United. Although he has netted 14 times in 29 appearances since his move to Turkey, he has failed to settle in his new surroundings and is said to be looking for a return to England. But reports suggest even with a significant pay-cut he would end up as one of Hammer’s top-earners and this has prompted West Ham to go cold on the approach before, but with options running out he could provide an alternative.
