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Western Ham are in desperate need of a striker following Niclas Fullkrug’s loan move to AC Milan, and they now have the chance to sign one.
The 32-year-old, who scored just three goals in 29 appearances in total for the Hammers before his switch from Rossoneri, will go down as one of the club’s worst striker signings in recent memory.
Signed by former technical director Tim Steidten, who touted Fullkrug as the perfect striker for West Ham, his time at the London Stadium was ultimately marred by repeated and long-term injury problems.
The German was never able to show his best in Claret and Blue, having been dealt some very unlucky cards when it came to his own fitness, but the search is now on for Fullkrug’s replacement.
A host of number nines have been linked with moves to east London in the past week alone, including Coventry City duo Hadji Wright and Ellis Simms, as well as Nuno Espirito Santo would prioritize attackers with experience of English football (ExWHUemployee).
This explains their interest in Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen, who was recently the subject of an approach from West Ham, according to the reliable David Ornstein.
Strand Larsen reportedly open to West Ham movebut that of wolves Asking price of £45m represents a significant obstacle in the negotiations.
Chelsea’s Marc Guiu has also become a target for West Ham this week, but given that he has already changed clubs twice this season, the Spaniard will not be able to join until next summer.
Nuno is not entirely opposed to the idea of recruiting strikers from outside England, however, with Viktoria Plzen’s Rafiu Durosinmi considered to be on the club’s shortlist if they decide to pursue options abroad (ExWHUemployee).
Another interesting opportunity could be Roma’s Artem Dovbyk, who finished the 2023/2024 season as La Liga’s top scorer when Girona briefly challenged for the title.
West Ham ‘offered’ Artem Dovbyk as Roma tell him to leave in January
Dovbyk signed for Roma from Girona in the summer of 2024 after a historic season.
The 28-year-old helped lead the Catalan club to the Champions League, with Dovbyk’s physical presence and clinical finishing making him one of the most sought-after strikers in Spanish football at the time.
However, things haven’t gone as planned since his move to Italy.
Dovbyk has struggled to provide continuity and his impact has fallen far short of the expectations generated by his explosive performances in Spain.
Manager Gian Piero Gasperini’s lack of confidence marked his brief tenure at Rome, and the club’s sporting director has informed Dovbyk’s representatives to find a new club next month.
As a result, the Ukraine international is now available in January after falling out of favor at the Serie A club.
This is revealed by reports from Spain, which explain that West Ham were ‘offered’ the chance to sign Dovbyk this winter.
West Ham, Everton and Sunderland have all received “detailed reports” on the striker “in recent days”, with the Premier League trio seriously considering a mid-season deal.
Competition for his signature means West Ham cannot afford to delay if they decide to seriously pursue the deal.
Roma want a quick solution to allow them to reshape their own squad before the window closes, and the Italian club are ready to green light a “low-cost” loan or transfer given the circumstances.
For Dovbyk, the opportunity to save his season with a move to the Premier League holds obvious appeal. He will be 29 next year and cannot afford to waste another six months of his career on the Roma sidelines.
