OPINION
West Ham’s search for a new centre forward has been well documented this summer, but the answer to their striking woes might be rather closer to home than they anticipated.
While the club continually get linked with ambitious moves for the likes of Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez and Porto’s Moussa Marega, recently relegated Jay Rodriguez lurks as a much more proven alternative.
The one time England international was the subject of a failed £16million bid from Burnley recently, and West Ham should seriously consider hijacking the Clarets move for the West Brom striker.
The Hammers are in dire straits up front. Javier Hernandez, Andy Carroll and Jordan Hugill are the club’s only recognised centre forwards. Of those three, one is massively injury prone and the other appears to have no future at the club. The team are desperately reliant on Chicharito.
Reinforcements are sorely needed, and rather than taking a gamble on Gomez or Marega, who may or not warm to English football, West Ham should target a player who they know can cut in the top flight.
Rodriguez scored a creditable 11 goals for the worst team in the Premier League last season, and previously hit 17 goals for Southampton in the 2013/14 campaign. They would probably have to pay around £20million for the 29-year-old, but that’s less than they would be paying for Gomez or Marega.
Everyone can see that the club’s search for a centre forward has not gone to plan. The club needs to stop looking so far outside the box and simply crane its neck over towards the Midlands. Rodriguez is a quick, proven striker who works hard for his team. He would be a valuable asset for Manuel Pellegrini this season.
The Hammers have the financial capability to outgun Burnley, and with their moves for Gomez and Marega having gone nowhere, now is the time to act. The club can solve their attacking woes with one fell swoop, and bring an England international to the London Stadium in the process.
