Madcap Portuguese manager Carlos Carvalhal has fired a warning to West Ham United over their pursuit of Maxi Gomez.
The Hammers have been linked with a move for the Uruguayan striker all winter.
Conflicting reports abound throughout the course of the transfer window.
But when the deadline came and went without any incomings on Thursday evening.
Hammers fans had been led to believe the Maxi Gomez deal was very much still on the cards (Sky Sports). That followed earlier reports it was dead in the water (Teamtalk).
Supporters were hoping an announcement would be made that West Ham had agreed a deal to sign the 22-year-old in the summer.
Gomez hope remains for summer deal
That may still be the case of course.
But should West Ham continue to pursue a summer deal for Gomez, ex Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal has fired a warning he will need to play with a partner up front if he is to score goals.
That’s after watching him first hand several times given his former assistant Miguel Cardoso is managing Gomez’s club Celta Vigo.
“I have seen him play a lot of times for Celta Vigo, he is a very good striker,” Carvalhal told Sky Sports News ahead of the transfer deadline.
Former Premier League boss fires warning over Gomez
“He scored I think 17 goals last season in Spain which is really very good. This season he is (still) scoring goals (but) he’s not scoring goals now (at the moment) because Iago Aspas, he plays with him as the partner in attack, is injured.
“It seems he likes to play with someone near him to score goals, to be more productive.
“He’s a player that plays in the last line, very good at headers, he tries to find the blindspot of the defenders. He’s an interesting striker, young, he’s a promising player.”
The fact Gomez needs to play alongside another striker may present a problem for West Ham.
Striker conundrum for West Ham
At the moment Manuel Pellegrini plays with one striker and two wide attackers which is his preference over the course of his career.
Then there is the very real possibility that all four of the club’s current forwards will be leaving come the summer.
Lucas Perez and Javier Hernandez are both being heavily linked with moves away.
Andy Carroll’s contract is up and unlikely to be extended.
And Marko Arnautovic is expected to depart for China despite signing an improved contract.
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