West Ham started their new era at the Olympic Stadium in some style by beating Domzale 3-0 in the Europa League qualifiers to overturn their 2-1 deficit from the first leg. Now only the final play-off round stands in the Hammers’ way of making it to the Europa League group stage. There is a definite sense of optimism growing surrounding the Hammers’ first season at their new home the Olympic Stadium and Bilic looks up for the challenge.
West Ham have bolstered their squad to a large extent during the summer but still a prolific striker is missing from the equation. The East Londoners have been chasing the signature of a high-profile striker all summer long but all they faced is sheer frustration in their pursuit.
Slaven Bilic has looked for a host of accomplished strikers in Europe and now turned his attentions towards Serie A star Eder. According to reports from Forza Italian Football, West Ham United are planning to table a £12.6 million bid for Eder. The report from Forza Italian Football claims that Eder had been in Bilic’s wishlist for quite some time now and now he is set to ramp up the pursuit to sign the 29-year-old.
Signing Eder would prove to be a complicated process as he is currently at Inter on a two-year loan deal from Sampdoria and to acquire his signature, they have to convince the Nerazzurri to terminate that agreement. However, Eder has been a big failure at San Siro since joining the club on loan in January and they might be willing to terminate the loan deal.
/ AFP / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
In the first half of the last season, the 29-year-old was a complete menace in Serie A for Sampdoria where he netted 12 goals from 19 Serie A games. However, he could just manage one goal for Inter since joining them in January from 14 Serie A games. If we take a look at the Brazil-born Italian international’s whole career, we will be able to see that he never was a prolific goalscorer.
Eder is just 5 ft 10 1⁄2 in and struggles in the air. Andy Carroll’ aerial prowess was highly effective at Upton Park in the closing stages of last season and the reason why West Ham want a new forward is the Englishman’s consistent injury problems. Eder will find it extremely hard to settle into the physical game of the Premier League. Aged 29, now, Eder is not a long-term project either.
So all things added up, moving for Eder does not make much sense from West Ham. It will prove to be just a desperate signing.
