OPINION
West Ham United need attacking additions this summer, there’s no doubt about that, but they face a difficult juggling act to accomplish that mission.
Reliable Hammers news source Claret & Hugh reported on Sunday that Manuel Pellegrini’s side are interested in Porto striker Moussa Marega, amongst other transfer targets, but that they will need to sell some players before they can act on their interest.
One player the east London outfit absolutely have to give the boot is striker Javier Hernandez, who Mexican outlet Record claimed last month is looking to return to Spain this summer, where he once spent a season on loan at Real Madrid.
If ‘Chicharito’ wants to leave then West Ham must do all they can to get him off their books. He is on crazy money, a reported £140,000-per-week [Source: Spotrac], but has done little to justify that outlay during his time at the London Stadium.
The Mexican international scored just 7 goals in the Premier League last season and, as per WhoScored, was behind teammate Marko Arnautovic in a host of offensive statistical categories.
The Austrian scored more goals, bagged more assists and averaged more shots, key passes and dribbles per game than the 31-year-old Hernandez.
So when considering which Hammers attacker to keep at the club, the statistics speak for themselves. Arnautovic is a far more effective frontman, while the former Manchester United man has proved to be hugely overpaid throughout his time in east London.
So if West Ham want to go out and get another attacker, someone like Marega perhaps, then they need to get their biggest earner – and one of their most disappointing players – off the books as soon as possible.
