David Moyes has fully opened up on West Ham’s transfer mission to sign a new striker to replace Michail Antonio.
When it comes to West Ham and strikers it too often feels like groundhog day.
Gianluca Scamacca joined a long list when he became the 51st West Ham striker signing in the last 13 years last summer.
But, like far too many of the others, he failed to hit it off at West Ham and was sold to Atalanta after just one season.
It says everything about West Ham’s difficulties in signing a proper forward that he was not replaced.
David Moyes fully opens up on West Ham’s transfer mission to sign a new striker to replace Michail Antonio
That’s despite most fans and pundits agreeing for many years a top striker must be a priority for the Hammers.
At nearly 34 and without a goal since August, Michail Antonio looks to have had his day as a Premier League forward.
Young star Divin Mubama is refusing to sign a new deal. And don’t even get West Ham fans started on Danny Ings.
Strike a light on forward search because West Ham are a striker light
West Ham have been linked with a plethora of strikers in the summer and ahead of the January window.
And judging by comments from the manager, it is a position he is desperate to strengthen.
David Moyes has fully opened up on West Ham’s transfer mission to sign a new striker to replace Antonio.
But he’s finding it supremely difficult and admits there is a dearth of talent in that position worldwide.
‘Dead easy to say, dead hard to find…’
“At every level you go to everyone is trying to find a new No9,” Moyes said in his latest press conference, as reported by the likes of The Evening Standard.
“The conveyor belt of them has dried up through academies and more teams trying to play with the ball and keep the ball. Maybe young players are becoming No10s to get more touches.
“How many moved into the Premier League last year? (Alexander) Isak did unbelievably well. Obviously (Erling) Haaland, his value makes him top. After that I couldn’t come up with huge amounts. (Ollie) Watkins was already there. There wasn’t an awful lot going on.
“There’s not really been a good market out there to buy and probably people have written that we need a new striker. Dead easy to say, dead hard to find to get someone who will work for you immediately…
“It’s hard to get exactly what you want, centre-forwards especially. That’s why I hope if we can’t find it, Jarrod (Bowen) might help fill the gap going forward.”
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