After being linked with pretty much every striker under the sun, the closest that West Ham has come to a transfer in the forward department is the impending sale of Enner Valencia to Lazio.
Rumours about the possible arrival of top class strikers like Alexandre Lacazette, Jamie Vardy, Carlos Bacca and (quite sensationally) Gonzalo Higuain had the Hammers faithful satisfied that a marquee addition to the forward department could be signed before the first game at the new Olympic Stadium.
But with the latest apparent rejection by Bacca, West Ham’s chances at a world-class centre-forward seems to grow smaller and smaller – but at least the club’s ambition can clearly be seen.
Which makes the news that West Ham have been linked with French star Wissam Ben Yedder slightly underwhelming, right?
Wrong.
With the multiple rejections by so many forwards who think themselves (at the moment) too big for the club, West Ham would be wise to sign the hugely underrated Ben Yedder.
The diminutive forward has proved himself to be clinical, and his 17 goals and five assists in 35 league games for Toulouse seems even more impressive when you consider that statistic means he was involved in roughly half of the total goals scored by his team in the 15-16 campaign.
The Frenchman would relish the chance at linking up with in-form compatriot Dimitri Payet, and his goal tally could prove decisive for any push for success that the Hammers may attempt. And at the age of 25, there is plenty of potential in him.
Finally, Ben Yedder (who is in the last year of his contract) could be available for around nine million euros, and with surprisingly low interest in him, could represent a less of a gamble for Bilic’s men than throwing huge sums of money at almost-30 strikers like Vardy, Bacca and Higuain.
So here’s hoping that the Hammers finally get their striker.
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