OPINION
There’s no doubt that West Ham United are short on attacking talent. That was the case this summer after an attacking exodus, and it remains a fact now.
Marko Arnautovic, Lucas Perez, Andy Carroll and Javier Hernandez have all left the London Stadium since the end of last season, with only Sebastien Haller and Albian Ajeti brought in by manager Manuel Pellegrini to replace them.
The precarious nature of this state of play was made clear by journalist Sam Inkersole on Tuesday: “If Sebastien Haller, god forbid, went down with an injury that would keep him out of action then the Hammers are very limited up front,” he wrote on the Football London website. “Albian Ajeti was recruited in the summer for £8m but seemingly isn’t fancied by Pellegrini at the moment.
What Inkersole is describing there is a horror situation, while he went on to explain that Michail Antonio and Xande Silva are both likely some months away from competing with any real regularity or quality.
As Inkersole says, if Haller were to go down injured it would likely end West Ham’s season from an ambitious point of view. If Ajeti’s Carabao Cup displays are anything to go by, gone would be the chances of Pellegrini’s side challenging for the top six.
With that said, the Hammers need to intensify their reported hunt for Fenerbahce striker Vedat Muriqi. Turkish outlet Sabah claimed last month that the east London outfit are one of several teams in for the 23-cap Kosovo international.
The 25-year-old has made a solid start to life with the Turkish giants, who he only joined in the summer. As per WhoScored.com, the attacker has bagged thee goals and an assist in seven games this season, while he’s also scored four times in six European qualifiers for his country.
He’s currently averaging 3.7 shots and two key passes per game, showing that, while he loves to have a go at goal, he can get involved in build up play and set his teammates up as well.
Given the state of things in the attacking area of the pitch at the London Stadium, as outlined by Inkersole, West Ham need to go all out for Muriqi in January.
