West Ham give new striker signing answer amid worrying Niclas Fullkrug issues
The top spokesman inside West Ham has exclusively responded to Hammers News about the possibility of signing a new striker.
Supporters bemoan the ‘West Ham striker curse’ for a reason.
Niclas Fullkrug is the latest victim of what has become a very real problem for the Hammers down the years.
Signing a new forward was one of the top priorities for technical director Tim Steidten and head coach Julen Lopetegui in the summer.
There seemed to be a clear profile of forward West Ham were looking at too.
The Irons were linked with the likes of Jhon Duran, Tammy Abraham and Samu Omorodion.
All quick, powerful forwards at good ages.
Ultimately, Steidten opted to sign compatriot Fullkrug for £23.5m.
Worrying Fullkrug issues all too predictable at West Ham
Questions were raised over the wisdom of signing a 31-year-old with a lengthy injury record.
Not to mention his lack of pace – a key commodity to be a success in the Premier League.
All too predictably, Fullkrug has missed over half of West Ham’s games so far.
An Achilles and calf injury has kept him out since the September international break.
West Ham have been coy over claims elsewhere that Fullkrug, who was restricted to brief substitute cameos in the three Premier League games for which he was available, may need an operation.
There is no firm return date for the German.
Fullkrug was nowhere to be seen in training for Spurs this week either.
That leaves Lopetegui relying on soon-to-be 35-year-old Michail Antonio – who has one goal in eight games this season – and 32-year-old Danny Ings, whose face simply has not fit since he arrived at the club on £125k per week.
Many West Ham fans called for the club to sign two forwards in the summer.
West Ham give new striker signing answer
Fullkrug becoming the latest striker signing to encounter problems makes the decision not to do that look very questionable indeed.
Especially with the club’s stated aim of trying to qualify for Europe again.
So Hammers News has spoken exclusively about the striker situation with the most senior source inside West Ham, close to the club’s owners.
Hammers News was the first to reveal Fullkrug would be out until after the October international break when it was being reported elsewhere he’d be fit for Fulham and then Brentford.
Now the same top senior West Ham source has given a new striker signing answer amid the worrying Fullkrug issues.
It is clear the Hammers simply must go out and get a top young striker talent in.
Turning down Julian Alvarez and Viktor Gyokeres before missing out on Jhon Duran in recent seasons has been painful.
With Fullkrug’s issues, West Ham may have to address the situation in January.
The top spokesman inside the club has exclusively told Hammers News ‘never say never’.
But it has been made clear one or two players will have to leave first to make it possible.