All aboard the striker merry-go-round

The noticeable weekly shifts in focus for new targets suggest the bosses at West Ham are systematically working through their checklist.

Having ticked off two defenders in the past week, much of the talk now seems to surround securing a new striker.

With Andy Carroll a constant injury concern, Mario Zarate struggling, and Carlton Cole departed, there is certainly a need to bolster the front line.

As with any transfer window, there have been plenty of players linked with a move. But a lot of the noise coming from the club suggests the management are looking for someone with Premier League experience.

Although Diafra Sakho proved last season that experience is not always crucial, a long line of failed strikers over the years indicates that finding a player who can score regularly from the off in the top flight is a rarity.

The likes of Mattia Destro certainly come with a degree of pedigree, and have played on the international stage.

But having already signed Dimitri Payet, the club may already feel it has played its wildcard in the attacking position.

This means the board, and manager, may be more comfortable going for a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, and probably rightly so.

The latest name linked is Javier Hernandez, who is the sort of simple goal getter the club has missed for the past decade.

He has been relatively successful at Manchester United and Real Madrid, even given the shortage of game time.

Other options include Charlie Austin and Loic Remy, who are both being linked to a host of other clubs.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Remy did secure a move away, potentially to Crystal Palace, which would open the way for Austin to shift into his place at Chelsea.

But if West Ham could pull off a deal for any of these three, it would certainly be an upgrade on what the team had last season.

And when all those options are fit, it provides a formidable selection of strikers to compete in all competitions.