West Ham are on the hunt for their 55th striker signing of the David Sullivan era and many fans hope his sons get their way.
The dreaded West Ham striker curse struck once again this year.
The Hammers signed Niclas Fullkrug last summer for £26.5m.
But the move has followed an all too familiar pattern for West Ham since David Sullivan took over the club 15 years ago in 2010.
Fullkrug picked up a serious injury just three games into his Hammers career and spent three months out.
Then, just a handful of games into his return from that injury, the Germany international was ruled out again, spending the last two months in the treatment room.
West Ham can’t say they weren’t warned. Fans raised question marks about the signing given Fullkrug’s length history of serious injuries.
Fullkrug would have been sold in January had he not picked up his injury.
He has not settled in England off the pitch and will be a player West Ham look to move on in the summer.
Juventus and a number of German clubs are interested.
West Ham need two new strikers in summer
Another West Ham striker flop, Danny Ings, is also leaving at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old’s £125k per week contract is up.
Michail Antonio turns 35 this month and his contract is also running out this summer as things stand.
But it remains to be seen what the club do about the long-serving star as he battles to get back for the last week of the season.
Even if Antonio stays, West Ham will need to sign at least two new forwards in the next window.
Evan Ferguson has arrived on loan but with no option or obligation to buy. And a permanent deal has always been highly unlikely.
West Ham at striker crossroads… again
One name very much discussed in the Hammers boardroom is Liam Delap.
Now David Ornstein has dropped a major update on the ‘unplayable’ striker David Sullivan’s sons want at West Ham.
Hammers News revealed Dave and Jack Sullivan won’t stop raving about Delap to their dad.
The Times have described Ipswich star Delap as ‘unplayable’ and a striker who ‘bullies’ defenders.
He has impressed in the Premier League with the Tractor Boys this season.
When pressed about interest in Delap ahead of the January window, West Ham stated they knew a sale would only be on the cards in the summer.
Ornstein on ‘unplayable’ striker Sullivan’s sons want at West Ham
West Ham fans rarely see eye-to-eye with their owners on things.
But most are in agreement with Sullivan’s sons that Delap would be a fantastic signing.
Hammers News understands the club were privately – and quietly – confident they could compete for Delap in the summer.
While other Premier League clubs had registered an interest, West Ham were the biggest in terms of those who would be able to offer the 22-year-old the chance to be a guaranteed starter.
Now there has been a big update on Delap’s future from Athletic journalist Ornstein.
In a question and answer session on The Athletic, Ornstein was asked about where Delap could end up this summer amid the links to the likes of West Ham and Chelsea.
Crushing Delap blow for Hammers but Sullivan must still try
But Sullivan’s sons – and West Ham fans – won’t like what Ornstein has had to say.
Because Delap’s excellent performances have probably put him out of West Ham’s reach.
“I revealed the Delap interest in November,” Ornstein said.
“But Chelsea aren’t his only suitors.
“I suspect there’s a good chance his next move is to a Champions League club and, if so, that is a factor yet to be determined.”
That is a crushing blow for West Ham’s Delap hopes.
Attracting top players was always going to be difficult without European football.
Whether Delap will want to go to a top side where he may not be the main striker remains to be seen, though.
Regardless of Ornstein’s claim, West Ham must still ask the question this summer.
Because if Ipswich get relegated, Delap will definitely be on his way.
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