OPINION
Much has been written about West Ham’s search for a new centre-forward this summer, with the club seemingly foiled at every turn as they look to recruit a new front man.
With just three recognised strikers on the books, and one of those men seemingly on his way out of the club, the Hammers are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, especially as Manuel Pellegrini wants to play two up top.
To that end they have attempted to sign Porto’s Moussa Marega, Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez and Real Betis’s Antonio Sanabria. All of those moves appear to have failed, unless some last minute turnaround occurs.
The quality of the club’s summer recruitment drive means that no one is particularly bemoaning the lack of a centre forward signing, but this is an area of grave need for the Hammers.
If Jordan Hugill leaves the club as expected, then Jaiver Hernandez and the injury prone Andy Carroll are left as the only out-and-out strikers at the London Stadium. Yes, Marko Arnautovic and Michail Antonio can operate there, but cover is needed.
Enter Munas Dabbur. Though unknown to most football fans, the Israeli striker has build up one of the most impressive goal records in all of Europe in recent years. He started his career with Maccabi Tel Aviv in his homeland, and pilfered 23 goals in 78 games for the club.
From there he moved to Swiss outfit Grasshoppers, where he registered a blistering 56 goals in 105 matches, a quite incredible statistic. That got him a move to Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg, where he currently plys his trade. He has 39 goals in 83 games for them, including 29 last season and four in three to start this campaign.
These are rare numbers being posted by the 26-year-old, and have resulted in speculation that he’ll join Crystal Palace this summer. The Mail’s transfer centre (05/18; 10:26) reveals that the Eagles are in talks with Salzburg over his signing.
It’s West Ham, though, who should be looking to bring Dabbur in. There are no certainties when bringing in players from lesser foreign leagues, but the Israel international seems to be as sure a bet as you could get. Plus, it didn’t work out too badly for Southampton when they signed Sadio Mané from Salzburg, did it?
The Hammers have searched and searched for a new centre forward this summer and gotten nowhere, they can reverse that trend with Dabbur, who is valued at just £11.25million by Transfermarkt. Manuel Pellegrini need not break the bank to find an elite striker.
The club would have to move quickly to snatch the attacker from under Palace’s noses, but they have the financial capability to outgun Roy Hodgson’s side. This signing could end up being the cherry on the cake that has been West Ham’s summer transfer window.
