West Ham expert drops verdict on striker signing news – ‘I fear for them’
West Ham United need to sign a striker in January as they rely too much on their “big guys” to score goals.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hammers and Celtic striker Frank McAvennie suggested a forward should be the club’s priority this month unless they have a capable youth player.
As revealed by Football Insider (9 January), the Irons are aiming to recruit a new striker once they have offloaded Danny Ings, who has gained interest from Wolves.
With Ings set to depart and Michail Antonio sidelined for up to six weeks with a knee injury, David Moyes has few available out-and-out strikers at his disposal.
West Ham have revised their transfer plans and are urgently chasing attacking signings after further tests on Lucas Paqueta’s calf injury raised fears the midfielder will be sidelined for two months.
McAvennie has not liked what he’s seen of youngster Divin Mubama in recent outings, particularly during West Ham’s FA Cup draw against Bristol City on Sunday (7 January), and has urged his former side to take action.
“I think getting a striker is a priority,” he told Football Insider.
“Unless they bring in a boy through the academy.
“Mubama, from what I’ve seen, is not ready for the step up, so of course they’ve got to get somebody.
“But knowing Moyes, he’ll put someone in the midfield up front!
“I fear for them. It’s worrying because they’re relying on the big guys like Kudus, Paqueta and Ward-Prowse to score their goals. Losing Paqueta for two months is a devastating blow – he’s their best player and one of the best in the league.
“For a Premier League team who’s challenging in Europe not to even beat Bristol City – it doesn’t sit well with me.
“They need a top striker.”
In other news, Sources: Major update on West Ham bid to sign 26-year-old international star.