Revealed: Pellegrini offered multiple free agent forwards by West Ham

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Published on:

03 Sep 2019, 4:02 am

By Wayne Veysey

Manuel Pellegrini opted to offload Javier Hernandez despite rejecting the chance to sign multiple free agent centre-forwards, Football Insider understands.

The Hammers sold the Mexico striker, 31, to Sevilla on deadline day for a fee of £7million to leave them with just two senior strikers until January.

A West Ham source has told Football Insider that Pellegrini has been offered various free agents by the club but does not believe they are of the quality the team need.

The window for signings closed early last month but Premier League clubs can sign free agents outside of the transfer cut-offs.

Pellegrini is willing to wait until the January window to reinforce his front line that is now reliant upon summer signings Sebastien Haller and Albian Ajeti.

Hernandez became the third Hammers senior striker to depart this summer following the earlier exits of Marko Arnautovic and Andy Carroll.

Pellegrini gave the green light for the Hammers to cash in on the Mexican two weeks after he scored their only goal in the 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.

The former Manchester United man's £140,000-a-week contract was not only a huge cost for someone who was not a first choice but also a bone of contention among the West Ham players.

The club's goal hopes now rest predominantly upon record signing Haller, who has scored three times in three matches since his arrival.

In other West Ham news, the results of Michail Antonio's scan can be REVEALED exclusively by Football Insider.

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