With just over one week until the end of the transfer window, Sam Allardyce must have realised the need for some more attacking flair in his West Ham squad. All summer long the Hammers have been linked with a move for Leeds United’s winger Max Gradel and after the pacey 23-year-old put in an impressive display at Upton Park last weekend, interest may well have been renewed. With reported bids being rejected from the Yorkshire club already this summer it seems that West Ham ended their interest but with time running out they may become desperate.
The former Leicester player was outstanding for Leeds last season scoring 18 goals in 41 league games putting him on the radar of many high profile clubs this summer including Premier League sides Swansea and Fulham. Gradel also gained his first international cap for the Ivory Coast in a World Cup Qualifier against Benin this year, which increased Leeds’ desperation to hang on to their prized asset and they now rate him at around £10million, but is this good value for money?
Unfortunately, no club will pay that amount for a player of Gradel’s inexperience and inconsistency; however, there is a good chance that there will be bids for the player before the transfer window closes. With a centre forward being the main target for Allardyce in the coming weeks and with strength in depth in the midfield it is unlikely that Gradel will be a West Ham player this season.
The main interest from the East End club came before they secured the signature of wide man Matty Taylor, who has impressed in the opening games of the season. Junior Stanislas, Jack Collison, Julian Faubert and Freddy Sears are also options to play on the wing in Big Sam’s 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 formation and so another winger may be a waste of money in this writers humble opinion.
Expect to see some movement from West Ham in the next week or so in the transfer market both incoming and outgoing but Max Gradel is unlikely to be involved.
Think we need Gradel? Let us know on Twitter @Forever_WestHam
