West Ham United are desperate to sign someone who can operate as a striker before the transfer deadline next week.
And as far as yardsticks go for forwards, they do not come much better than Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
When applied to West Ham – a club in a seemingly perienniel struggle to find a quality striker – Zlatan as a yardstick is not used very often.
David Moyes is currently looking to sign the 50th striker of David Sullivan and David Gold’s 11-year tenure at West Ham.
Striker Moyes reportedly wants at West Ham likened to Zlatan Ibrahimovic… by himself
The Scot knows the forward – or a winger/midfielder that can perhaps operate as a second striker like Jesse Lingard did last season – has to be a good one.
So West Ham fans will be encouraged after striker Mohamed Bayo – who Moyes reportedly wants to sign this month – was likened to the great Ibrahimovic.
With 564 goals in 953 games for club and country, Ibrahimovic goes down as one of the greatest forwards of all time.
So even if Clermont forward Bayo is half the player Ibrahimovic is then West Ham are on to a winner.
Hammers linked with move for Clermont forward
According to Foot Mercato, West Ham have asked Clermont how much it will cost to prise Bayo away before the transfer deadline.
The 23-year-old striker has been a goal machine for the now Ligue 1 side, smashing 26 goals and eight assists in 51 games.
With 22 goals in 38 outings last season, Bayo fired Clermont Foot to promotion, and already has three goals in three games to start this season.
Any new West Ham striker signing will need to arrive full of confidence if they are going to be a success and challenge Michail Antonio for a place in the team.
Sebastien Haller seemed to lack confidence that he was a £45m player from the get go and was a flop in the Premier League.
West Ham will be on to a winner if Bayo is even half the player Zlatan has been
It seems that won’t be an issue if the Hammers land Bayo, though.
That’s after the Guinea star compared himself to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in terms of playing style.
Bayo had posters of Ibrahimovic in his room at home and told Onze Mondial magazine that the Swedish striker was the player he resembled the most (Ligue1.com).
However he admitted that he needs to improve in the air. “I am big but heading is not really my strong point. Last season I didn’t score a single header despite being 1m88. It is not my style.”
Comparisons to Zlatan is a big tag to give oneself. But in fairness Bayo is big and strong just like Zlatan. And he also has the ability to both carry the ball and get in behind defences.
He is good with both feet like Ibra too. So you can see where Bayo gets his comparison from.
Of course if Bayo was anywhere near as good as Ibrahimovic some of Europe’s top clubs would be after him.
But at present West Ham only reportedly face competition from the likes of Lille and Bordeaux.
In other news, duo could miss West Ham game unless Moyes intervenes.
And Moyes delivers honest assessment of main man’s future this season and beyond.