As West Ham United close in on a deal to sign Niclas Fullkrug, Julen Lopetegui is clearly not putting all of his eggs in one basket.
Niclas Fullkrug is someone who’s believed to be West Ham’s main striker target this summer, and it was recently claimed that personal terms and the structure of the fee were still yet to be agreed upon.
However, things have moved on rapidly since then, and it’s said that he’s travelling to London today to thrash out terms with the Hammers.
I am genuinely coming round to the idea that the Germany international striker could complete us as a team.
Sure, he’s 31, and it’s a big shame that he’s not four or five years younger, but for the next two seasons, he should be able to do a very good job for us.
He was in fine form for Borussia Dortmund last summer, and racked up 15 goals and 10 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions.
However, Julen Lopetegui clearly has other irons in the fire as well…
West Ham told to pay £32m for striker but Niclas Fullkrug makes it unlikely
If the Hammers sign Fullkrug, I’m sure that Lopetegui will not be going out to sign another centre-forward this summer.
However, if the deal for the German does collapse, it seems as though the West Ham head coach has a very good backup option lined up.
According to a report from Marca (print edition July 31st, page 23), the Hammers are interested in Alexander Sorloth, and have been told by Villarreal to cough up £32 million to sign him.
That sounds like an awful lot of money, and besides, Atletico Madrid are advancing on a deal to bring him to the Spanish capital anyway (Fabrizio Romano).
Described by Mundo Deportivo as ‘extraordinary’, Sorloth has all of the attributes needed to succeed with West Ham in the Premier League.
The Hammers owners have allegedly made a formal £25 million bid for the 28-year-old already, but will obviously have to go higher if they want to bring him to the London Stadium.
Sorloth scored 131 goals in 368 career games. Last season for Villarreal, he bagged an impressive 26 goals and six assists in 41 games.
Standing at 6ft 5in tall, the Norwegian is always a real handful for opposing centre-backs, what with his strength and physicality.
The former Crystal Palace striker is incredibly strong in the air, obviously, possesses decent pace and he is an elite finisher.
On paper, he’d be the perfect striker for West Ham, but I think Niclas Fullkrug is the centre-forward who we will sign this summer.
Only time will tell as to whether or not I’m correct in that assessment though.
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