The sons of West Ham majority owner David Sullivan might take over the club one day so it is reassuring to know they’ve got good taste.
- Hammers News exclusive
West Ham are on the hunt for a new striker in the January transfer window.
The Hammers were always going to be looking for a forward in the winter window anyway.
But Michail Antonio’s horror crash which has ended his season – and possibly his career – has now made that a necessity.
West Ham really needed to go out and sign a powerful, pacy forward in the summer.
That’s why the move for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran made so much sense – and was so exciting.
The decision of technical director Tim Steidten to sign Niclas Fullkrug and Luis Guilherme with the £45m instead has looked a poor one ever since.
At 31, with a lack of pace and a lengthy injury record – the wisdom of signing Fullkrug has been questioned.
Had the German arrived alongside a younger, more mobile and dynamic forward then it would have been shrewd business.
Having an experienced target man and proven finisher sharing the load with a forward who could eventually succeed him.
To say choosing Fullkrug and Guilherme over Duran has proved to be the wrong call so far would be the understatement of the year.
Fullkrug has spent three months out and is yet to start a Premier League game. Although he is showing his goal threat in limited minutes of late, his lack of pace will be an issue.
To muddy the water, top Hammers insider Sean Whetstone recently claimed Fullkrug is one of several players who want to leave West Ham in January.
Whetstone revealed his club sources told him Fullkrug has not settled in the UK and may want out in January.
West Ham’s only other striker option is 32-year-old Danny Ings. And his face simply hasn’t fit under David Moyes or Lopetegui.
Ings is also out of contract at the end of the season.
The Irons have been linked with a host of strikers ahead of January.
West Ham confirmed interest in Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath to Hammers News.
But West Ham don’t believe ‘Boro will sell as they are chasing promotion.
The club are also interested in the situation of out of favour Brighton forward Evan Ferguson after claims he could be allowed to leave on loan with an option next month having dropped down the pecking order at the Amex.
Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed West Ham are keen to explore the possibility of a similar deal for PSG flop Randal Kolo Muani.
Meanwhile West Ham responded to the possibility of loaning Marcus Rashford from Man United.
Now Hammers News can reveal David Sullivan’s sons have been urging him to sign a Premier League star they love for West Ham.
And they’re absolutely spot on.
The best strikers West Ham have had down the years are the ones who can do a bit of everything.
Players like Marko Arnautovic and Carlos Tevez being great examples along with that man Antonio of course.
Hammers News has been speaking to the top spokesman for the club’s owners about the striker situation.
A number of forwards were discussed when the prospect of Liam Delap was raised.
The 6ft 1in England Under 21 star has been a revelation with Ipswich in the Premier League.
Delap has been impressing everyone with his powerful, all action displays.
The 21-year-old has six goals so far for the Tractor Boys but it is his all-round game which has underlined his reputation as a top young talent.
Delap is exactly the kind of striker West Ham should be in for.
And when his name came up, it was put to the key senior London Stadium contact that there won’t be many bigger clubs than West Ham who would be in for him where he would be a guaranteed starter.
The issue is, the West Ham spokesman doesn’t believe it’s a deal that can be done in January.
He did reveal, though, that Dave and Jack Sullivan, the sons of majority owner David, won’t stop raving about Delap to their dad.
“Sullivan’s kids absolutely love him,” the West Ham spokesman exclusively told Hammers News of Delap.
“But the problem is they won’t let him go until the summer I imagine.”
If Ipswich stay up then they may not let him go at all of course.
At the moment they’re in the bottom three, though. And relegation will undoubtedly dictate they simply have to sell Delap in the summer.
He has been so good that many have questioned Man City’s decision to let him go for just £20m.
West Ham should have been in for him when Ipswich were of course. That is a separate issue which needs to be addressed about how the club identifies talent.
He would have been far better value than bringing in a player 10 years older, undoubtedly on bigger wages and with no sell-on value.
It’s clear Dave and Jack Sullivan have good taste in players.
West Ham fans have been raving about Delap all season.
The consensus of opinion among Hammers supporters is that he is the answer to the great West Ham striker problem.
Since Sullivan’s arrival in 2010, West Ham have signed 53 strikers.
Not all have been flops of course – but too few have been success stories.
Delap has been one of the most exciting players to watch in the Premier League this season.
He scored a wonderful goal against the Hammers at the London Stadium too.
If West Ham can’t do a deal for Delap in January then he should be the man the club go all out for in the summer.
Suddenly West Ham’s side would be transformed and looking a lot more youthful, powerful and promising.
West Ham will have money to play with in the summer as Mohammed Kudus is expected to be sold should a club trigger his £85m release clause.
Delap would be a magnificent way to spend some of that money.
Let’s hope Sullivan heeds the sound advice of his boys, because signing Delap would be an absolute masterstroke.
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