OPINION
With West Ham United largely relying on Marko Arnautovic to deliver the goods up front, it is safe to say that Manuel Pellegrini is a bit thin in the attacking department right now.
Therefore, it makes complete sense that they would want to chase Genk forward Mbwana Samatta, as revealed by insider exWHUemployee on the West Ham Way show on Phoenix FM (37:23).
With 14 goals in 16 games so far this season, his statistics alone should demonstrate that he is more than capable of firing on a regular basis for the Hammers.
However, despite this impressive figure, the Irons must abandon their pursuit of the in-form 25-year-old, as his capture is just not necessary at the moment.
Andy Carroll could soon be returning – and once he does, Pellegrini will have four options to choose from up front, including summer signing Lucas Perez and Michail Antonio.
There would be absolutely zero point in signing the Tanzania international, as there would be too much competition for just one role.
Additionally, although Samatta’s goal tally may look attractive to the eye, there is no guarantee that the talisman would be able to replicate that type of form in the Premier League.
The English top-flight is no doubt very different to that of Belgium’s, so it remains to be seen how he would be able to cope with the level that the league operates at.
This is a risk that Pellegrini should not be willing to take, as it is a potential decision that has the possibility of backfiring on him massively.
He cannot afford for that to happen, particularly as he has started to get West Ham’s season back on track.
The manager will have sufficient reinforcements in the striker department come January – and he must recognise that a swoop for Samatta would not benefit anyone involved, as he is not at the standard required for the Premier League.
