There are a few clubs in every transfer window who have had a poor previous season and their desperate need of reinforcements is seen by media as a huge opportunity to churn out rumours linking almost every player with them. One such side this summer is London club West Ham United.
Following the positive end to the 2015-16 season, the Hammers were linked with every star players in the market that summer, when Slaven Bilic thought their Europa League qualification would be of huge help to lure the top talents across Europe. But, they ended up with the likes of Simone Zaza, Sofiane Feghouli and Manuel Lanzini up front.
Their season ended disastrously. They were ousted from the second-tier European tournament in the play-off stages itself and their pathetic form continued in the domestic campaign too. A four-match losing streak that occurred right at the beginning of the season was enough to push them to the bottom half of the table, from where they struggled to move out to the end.
Star player Dimitri Payet sensationally left the side in winter and things turned to the worse. Yet another losing streak, this time of five games, meaning West Ham finished the season just five points above 17th placed Watford and if not for some wise winter shopping, Bilic would have seen his side relegated.
While an injury-plagued defence was definitely the biggest problem for the Hammers, it was their attack that led them down big time last season. The London side could score only a meagre 47 goals all season, which saw them lose to many weaker teams. The Croatian manager is desperate to avoid any such situation next season and is reportedly eyeing a bid for Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud.
The 30-year-old French centre-forward has managed to make one of the fewest numbers of appearances in a season, since joining the club back in 2012. That has already led many to believe that he is unsettled at the club now and that move is on the cards.
The former Montpellier man has managed only 29 league experience last season, where he scored 12 goals and picked up a further four assists. However, it is undeniable how important he has been for the club in those few games, where he came mainly from the bench to score some important goals. Despite starting the season injured, Giroud gained his composure almost instantly and was on the go from the very first match itself.
At 192cm, he is one of the most dangerous forwards from aerial balls and possesses brilliant link-up play abilities. Having extended his contract with the club only in January this year, Wenger is unlikely to let him go before the end of the next season but could be the right man for West Ham if they are able to lure him out?
