OPINION
To say that West Ham’s strikers have not lived up to expectation this season would be a fair assessment – but how does Manuel Pellegrini improve on them for next season.
Marko Arnautovic has seen his form nosedive after a January transfer window linking him with a move away, Javier Hernandez has not been consistent enough to lead the line, Andy Carroll has been perpetually absent through injury and the less said about Lucas Perez, the better.
None of the quartet deserve to be starting on a regular basis when you consider their performances but unfortunately the manager hardly has a choice – unless he chooses to shoehorn Michail Antonio into a centre forward’s role.
It is for that reason it should come as no surprise to see the Hammers linked with new strikers ahead of the summer transfer window – Il Messaggero suggesting that Eden Dzeko, who worked with Pellegrini at Manchester City, is a serious target for the east Londoners.
The only problem for West Ham is that the Bosnian hitman, who has 100 caps for his country and a contract in the Italian capital until 2020, is said to have eyes for a move to European giants Inter Milan if he were to leave this summer.
The 6’4″ (source: Transfermarkt) would undoubtedly be a huge upgrade on fellow target man Carroll and is more prolific than anyone in east London with 12 goals across all competitions – which is why blowing Inter away is the only way they will take their game to the next level.
The prospect of a reunion with Pellegrini might be enough to pique his interest and then it is all about what the two Davids – Gold and Sullivan – can do in terms of his contract.
Getting him on board would be huge – whether it happens is another matter entirely
