1. Bas Dost – VfL Wolfsburg
Standing at 6ft 5 inches here we have a player who is capable of tussling it out with the Premier Leagues giant centre halves, with the likes of Vincent Kompany and Per Mertasacker both likely to have a challenge on their hands, if Dost was the leading the Hammers front line.
This season Dost has scored 16 goals in 19 appearances and has also bagged himself 2 goals in 6 games in Europe, making him one of the most in demand forwards in Germany.
The Hammers were linked with a move for Dost back in 2012 after the club were reported to have launched a £7 million bid for the towering forward. However, the then Heerenveen striker opted for a move to current side Wolfsburg, where he has gone on to be a shrewd piece of business, especially if this season is anything to go by.
Dost, who is only 25 is reaching the prime years of his football career and with him in this kind of form, there is surely no better time to prize him away from Germany than now.
The likelihood that Wolfsburg will be comfortable with his departure is slim, with the player contributing massively to their current position in league as they sit in 2nd place behind Bayern Munich, with 32 games played. As a result, it would take a double figure sum to even open discussions, let alone getting the player to sign the dotted line.
2. Manolo Gabbiadini – Napoli
West Ham have had their fair share of Italians join the ranks with the most recognisable being the much admired Paolo Di Canio. Since then the likes of David Di Michele, Marco Borriello and Alessandro Diamanti have each tried to prove themselves in England, with none managing to reach the heights of Di Canio, but with Manolo Gabbiadini in great form for Napoli is it worth trying the Italian market once more? Gabbiadini has been a revelation playing for Napoli since signing for the club in January from Italian rivals Sampdoria, scoring 14 goals this year, putting him in 6th place of top scorers in Italy.
In terms of his previous goal-scoring record it’s not the best out of this list of strikers, however he has youth on his side being only 23 and is still trying to find his feet in the game. It’s clear to see that the raw ability is there and with the right mentoring and training he could potentially become an exceptional player.
Gabbiadini is a versatile forward with a great engine (Hammers fans would appreciate it) with fine technique and brains for the game. For a young lad he stands at 6ft 1 and can quite easily be used as a target man and combine in link up play, whilst he is equally adept at running at the defence, creating chances or having an effort himself – it could be argued that he is very much a playmaker forward.
If the Hammers were to attempt to sign Gabbiadini, he would provide them with another option upfront and it would be interesting to see how he combined with Sakho and Valencia.
It would likely take a bid of around £10 million to £15 million to convince Napoli to depart with the player.
3. Aleksandar Mitrovic – Anderlecht
The Premier League isn’t shy of its fair share of Belgium born/trained players with name such as
Maruane Fellaini, Moussa Dembele, Eden Hazard, Kevin Mirallas and Vincent Kompany, amongst many others all proving to be finely tuned for the demands of the Premier League. Could this young starlet be the next name to add to the rise of Belgium football in Europe?
Aleksander Mitrovic has settled into professional football like a duck to water. At the age of 18 he exploded on to the scene scoring 7 times in 25 games for Serbian side Teleoptik. He then moved to Partizan in 2012 where he had even more success scoring 13 goals in 28 games. Since signing for Anderlect the following year he has gone on to play 66 games, scoring 34 goals. This season has proven to be the most mesmerising yet, with the 20 year old hitting the net 18 times in 34 games, making him one of the most clinical youngsters in the professional world of football.
Whilst his goal record is pretty impressive considering his young age, he also has a powerful frame standing at 6ft 2 inches and still has a lot of time to learn – making him very attractive to Europe’s top sides. He is talented in the air and very much comfortable with the ball at his feet.
If Mitrovic keeps on progressing the way he is, he wouldn’t be far off to emulating the standard set by Everton Star Romelu Lukaku, who at the age of 16 finish top goal scorer in his first season with Anderlecht. He then went on to score 20 goals the following season helping the club secure their 30th Belgian title before later moving to Chelsea and making a name for himself in English football.
Mitrovic could potentially prove to be one of the best pieces of business in the clubs history, then again like many wonderkids before him; he could also fade off into the abyss, but in his current form and his previous record combine, he could be worth every penny paid.
4. Marco Matias
Next on the list is Portuguese striker Marco Matias, who currently plays for Premiera Liga side Nacional who currently sit in 10th place.
Matias is an exciting player to watch as he loves to run with the ball and create opportunities. He is also very intuitive and adaptable, making him capable of creating something – from nothing. He is very much in the frame of the modern day footballer; at only 5ft 9 he doesn’t offer the aria threat like some of the others; however when you look at players like Aguero, height isn’t everything to make an impact.
This season has been Matias’s most clinical yet, with him scoring 15 times in 31 games, placing him 4th on the leading scorers list in Portugal. Despite his success, it is unlikely that the club would demand a figure above £10 million and it’s more likely the West Ham could sign him for around £6 million.
Although his goal record isn’t eye dazzling, watching him play can certainly be entertaining and with him finding the net more frequently, he could be worth a try. Not mention, as he is only 26 he could also be sold on if he wasn’t as successful as first hoped.
5. Islam Slimani – Sporting Lisbon
And finally, for the last name on the list we venture into the Portuguese league once more, focusing on Sporting Lisbon powerhouse Islam Slimani.
Here we have one of the most refined players in Portugal, as Slimani knows each of his strengths and really plays on them. His a natural predator in the box and that combined with his sheer power, his something capable of putting fear in any oppositions defences.
Since his professional career began he has always found the net, managing to score 18 goals in 22 games for JSM Chéraga in one season. Before moving to CR Belouizdad where he spent four years, raking in 32 goals in 96 appearances, which helped him secure a move to Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in 2013.
West Ham were linked with a move for the Algerian back in 2014, however the player himself opted to remain with Lisbon, as he wanted to win the title with them before moving on. The Hammers tried their luck again in January of this year, and the Slimani had this to say, “I am focused on finishing the season at full strength and win a title, at least. Then we’ll see. Maybe next year.” But with Sporting Lisbon 11 points behind league leaders Benfica, it’s looking unlikely he will be winning the league anytime soon. If he decides to call it a day with Lisbon, he could well be on his way to West Ham.
The amount of money the board are looking to spend this summer is unknown, but It wouldn’t be surprising to see the club brake the £25 million bracket, with at least one marquee signing also expected to walk through the Iron gates.