Ever since David Sullivan hinted on Sky Sports that the Hammers are set to sign a striker this month, the internet has been rife with rumours of who the mystery striker may be.
Sullivan stated exactly what the Hammers were looking for this month:
“We are looking, long-term, for a 20-goal-a-season striker,” said the West Ham co-owner.
“There’s a possibility that a striker will come in on loan, with the option to buy, within the next seven days. He’s an overseas striker.
“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe it. I can’t tell you which league because then you’ll know exactly who it is.
“We are signing from a very strange league. But he has played in higher leagues.”
The two strikers that fit the bill are Andre Pierre Gignac and Demba Ba, currently plying their trades in Mexico and China respectively. Gignac, who plays for Mexican side Tigres UANL in Liga MX, most recently played for Marseille in France and was Dimitri Payet’s teammate last season.
Gignac could link up with Payet once again
In 2014-15, Gignac helped himself to 21 league goals, forming an excellent partnership with Payet as the striker adopted a lone striker role for the French club.
Gignac has spent most of his career playing in France and the fact that he has not played in the Premier League could be a bit of an issue for the Hammers. Despite this, the 30-year-old is a proven goalscorer and currently has 10 league goals in 14 league appearances in Mexico this season.
Without Sakho, the Hammers have struggled to find a striker that makes West Ham tick in his absence. Gignac could rekindle the partnership with Dimitri Payet but it could take time to adapt. If West Ham want more of a quick fix, Demba Ba could be the better option.
The former Hammer currently plays for Chinese club Shanghai Shenua and has scored six goals in eleven appearances since he joined from Besiktas this summer. The striker previously worked with Bilic at the Turkish club and the Croat is a big fan of the forward. Still only 30-years-old, Ba’s West Ham career was cut short as the Hammers were relegated from the Premier League in 2011.
Ba scored 18 league goals in 29 appearances last season and he would have no issues adapting to the lone striker role that Bilic seems to prefer at West Ham. A born finisher who is good both in the air and with his feet, Ba could be an excellent signing for West Ham if Sullivan and co can negotiate a return to East London for the Senegalese striker.
If West Ham pull off a deal for either of these strikers this month, it would put Bilic’s team in a good position for the rest of the season as options up front have been lacking in recent weeks.
Ha would be an excellent addition to the team.
Proven goal scorer.
Gignac would surely be the better option as he has already played alongside Payet
Demba Ba all day long
I’d be happy with either to be honest. Both proven finishers that would add a great deal to our forward line. Hopefully one of them does get signed then West Ham can really push on in the league. COYI
True, but the fact that Sullivan said if he told us the league we would guess the player, suggests Demba Ba , seven goals in I think thirteen appearances, so proven in the premiership, plus played for Bestikas.
Pato fits the bill as well…
I think that Sullivan may be playing tricks with the media and West Ham fans.
One player, who does play for a very well known European league, is Mario Balotelli.
If West Ham can help him with his personal issues, he may well be worth the risk; this guy, when on song, is almost unstoppable as a striker. He is still only 25, but it would be the responsibility of our club to help him overcome some of his childish petulance. An outside chance, but worth the effort- could be a win-win situation?!
COYI
There is also talk of sturridge.
There is no difference between Carroll and sturridge they both like to keep the stretcher warm.
He also mentions a 20+ goal a season player. He mentioned that when he took over, signed sick note Carroll – still waiting though!!!!!!
Tevez also fits but I’m happy with the news