So West Ham United boss David Moyes failed to sign a striker last month.
Read also: ExWHUemployee lifts lid on West Ham’s failure to sign £13.3m striker
That’s in spite of selling Sebastien Haller to Ajax for a fee in excess of £20 million.
The Hammers are now desperately light in the centre-forward department.
Michail Antonio is our only recognised senior centre-forward. The 30-year-old’s hamstring problems are a real concern, however. And if he suffers a long-term injury we really will be in trouble.
It is what it is. As West Ham fans, we’re used to the board failing to back the manager.
All is not lost, however.
The Hammers can still sign a free agent, in spite of the transfer window now being shut.
Here are 10 strikers David Moyes could bring to West Ham on a free transfer at any time…
Alex Teixeira
The 31-year-old Brazilian is a winger by trade, but he can also play through the middle. At 31, he still has a lot to offer.
Diego Costa
The 32-year-old two-time Premier League winner doesn’t need an introduction. He is available on a free transfer and even if he demands huge wages, signing him is an option that the Hammers quite simply have to explore.
Ahmed Musa
The former Leicester ace is still only 28. He is lightning quick and would be a very interesting option for West Ham.
Daniel Sturridge
The injury prone ex-Liverpool hitman has been linked with the Hammers in almost every transfer window. The 31-year-old has won a Champions League, so he has great winning experience. The former England international may be as fragile as an egg-shell, but signing him would surely be better than bringing nobody in. Wouldn’t it??
Alexandre Pato
A former child prodigy, Pato has never hit the heights that were expected of him. The Brazilian is only 31, however, and perhaps signing him on a short-term deal would make sense for David Moyes.
Wilfried Bony
The former Swansea and Manchester City ace is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League. At 32, he’s not the player he once was but could be a useful backup for Antonio.
Diafra Sakho
The former West Ham cult hero is far from prolific and at 31, he’s not the pacy front-man he once was. Bringing him back to east London could be seen a romantic move predicated by sentiment and built on nostalgia. Not many West Ham fans would begrudge Sakho a return to the club though.
Ok so that’s seven. We admit we are scraping the barrel with the final three players. They are free transfer options nonetheless.
Oumar Niasse, Yaya Sanogo and Adama Diomande could all be picked up for absolutely nothing. And if Antonio suffers a hamstring tear at any point, these players could be seen as options for West Ham.
Now, obviously none of the above names would have been high on David Moyes’s wish-list.
It really is a case of needs must, however.
Should Antonio suffer an injury, our season could well be over. Surely Moyes realises this.
The good news is that there are options out there, should the West Ham boss decide that he needs them.