A match was abandoned after former West Ham striker target Bas Dost collapsed on the pitch in worrying scenes.
Nearly every transfer window West Ham seem to be in need of or looking for a new striker.
Indeed under David Sullivan and former fellow co-owner David Gold the Hammers signed 50 of them with little joy as of 2021.
And since then £35m Gianluca Scamacca can be added to that sorry West Ham statistic.
Hammers fans who follow transfer windows closely will undoubtedly recognise the name Bas Dost.
Match abandoned after former West Ham striker target Bas Dost collapses on the pitch in worrying scenes
The giant 6ft 5in striker has been linked with West Ham in just about every window over the last decade.
It can be charted all the way back to 2012 when then West Ham boss Sam Allardyce reportedly bid £7m to sign the Dutchman from Heerenveen.
Dost, then 22 and now 34, has since been perennially liked with the Hammers in almost every window, including when David Moyes returned to West Ham in 2020.
Dost is now at NEC Nijmegen and was the subject of a distressing incident yesterday.
Their match was abandoned after former West Ham striker target Dost collapsed on the pitch in worrying scenes.
Striker perennially linked with West Ham had dominated old foes AZ Alkmaar before collapse
Dost was facing West Ham’s Europa Conference League semi-final foes AZ Alkmaar away from home when he suddenly collapsed to the floor, leading to the game being abandoned in added time.
Dost had scored one and made the other as his side led title challengers Alkmaar 2-1 in added time.
Players from both clubs were visibly upset and many in tears as they formed a ring around the ex West Ham target as he received treatment.
Thankfully Dost regained consciousness and acknowledged the fans as he was carried off on a stretcher.
‘I’m in the hospital now’
And the player has since spoken via NEC’s media channels to give an update on his health and thank people for their support.
“The help I received on the field was fantastic,” Dost said in a message shared on NEC’s social media.
“I’m in the hospital now and I feel good. Thanks for all the support!”
Moments like that certainly put football sharply into perspective don’t they.
That move to West Ham may never have materialised. But let’s hope Dost is back doing what he does best soon.
If NEC Nijmegen rings a bell for West Ham fans, it is with good reason.
Because the Dutch club showed up UEFA by taking prompt action and banning AZ Alkmaar supporters from entering their city following the attack on the loved one of Hammers stars during that infamous semi-final clash.
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