According to a recent report by the Express, West Ham United have launched a formal enquiry to Chelsea to discuss a potential move for either Olivier Giroud or Michy Batshuayi. The same report has claimed that Valencia are willing to cut Batshuayi’s loan deal short if the Hammers can agree on a deal with the Pensioners before tonight’s transfer deadline.
The Express has also revealed that West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini is eager to recruit a new striker before the transfer window slams shut following Marko Arnautovic’s recent injury against Wolves on Tuesday night when he left the Molineaux Stadium on crutches.
Giroud has been a sporadic feature under Maurizio Sarri this season and needs a change in scenery if he wants to reignite his career in English football. Batshuayi is also on the same boat as he is struggling to earn first-team minutes at the Mestalla Stadium as he has lacked productivity in front of the opposition goal despite sealing a loan move to play for Valencia last summer.
The Belgian forward has scored just three goals in 23 appearances for the La Liga side this season across all competitions. Comparatively, Giroud has been far more prolific as he has registered five goals and has assisted five times in 28 matches for the West London outfit this term.
Both strikers have been starved of first-team minutes but the French international has been far more productive for Chelsea than Batshuayi has been under Marcelino García Toral in Spain. Hence, it makes more sense for Sarri to keep hold of Giroud as he can still be a good option from the bench.
The Hammers are desperate for a new forward after Arnautovic’s wretched run with injuries recently. Hence, either one of the two strikers will benefit them as Manuel Pellegrini could be an ideal manager to get the best out of them. It is a move that will benefit all parties as Chelsea can look forward to cutting some of the deadwood out of their squad while West Ham will get a chance to cope with their recent injury problems by bringing in an under-performing striker.
There is no doubt that both Batshuayi and Giroud could welcome the opportunity to play regular football for the Hammers so only time will tell whether either one of them can get the chance to seal a move to the London Stadium before tonight’s transfer deadline.
