Kyle Macaulay looks to have been scared into action for a young striker sensation after West Ham’s shock move for Callum Wilson.
West Ham and strikers seem to mix like oil and water more often than not over the last 15 years.
Evan Ferguson was West Ham’s 56th striker signing since David Sullivan took over the club alongside David Gold in 2010.
Nothing sums up West Ham’s luck – and judgement – better than the fact Ferguson failed to register a shot on target let alone score a goal in a dismal five months at the London Stadium.
The problem is there have been more Fergusons than there have been Michail Antonios and Marko Arnautovics.
Niclas Fullkrug was the last permanent striker arrival at West Ham.
He too encapsulates what the Hammers usually have to endure when signing a new forward.
Some would argue the warning signs were there by way of Fullkrug’s lengthy history of injuries – but sure enough the big German spent two thirds of his debut campaign on the sidelines with serious issues.
West Ham fast-changing striker situation
Fullkrug, who turns 33 next season, scored just three goals in his first season.
And he ended it struggling to convince Graham Potter he could be West Ham’s starting striker.
In fact Potter said he sees Fullkrug as more of an impact sub for West Ham, after dropping him for a 2-0 win at Man United towards the end of last season.
Right now, though, Fullkrug has nobody to play back-up to.
Because the ex Dortmund star is West Ham’s only senior striker.
Ferguson has gone back to Brighton – and on to Roma – Danny Ings has been released and a decision is yet to be made on Antonio’s future.
Callum Marshall is making a case for a place in the first team squad with two goals in two pre-season games.
It remains to be seen whether Potter gives the Northern Irishman a chance or sends him out on loan.
West Ham’s striker situation has been causing serious controversy this week.
Most Hammers fans feel a pacy, mobile and powerful new forward is needed.
West Ham’s hierarchy stated they “hope to sign one or two strikers” in an exciting statement two weeks ago.
But the Hammers changed their stance on the striker situation, saying Potter “doesn’t think West Ham need an expensive striker”.
The goalposts moved again when club insider Sean Whetstone – who counts majority owner David Sullivan among his close contacts – claimed the Hammers boss had gone one further and told the board he actually doesn’t think he needs to sign any new forwards.
That news did not go down well with supporters, who were infuriated further by a major Hammers News exclusive.
Macaulay acts on young striker sensation after Wilson frightener
That being West Ham revealing they ‘expect’ to sign free agent forward Callum Wilson after his Newcastle exit.
Callum Wilson is on the market and as a client of Will Salthouse – the preferred agent of the Sullivan family – many felt the move was inevitable.
There has been a backlash from some fans given Wilson turns 34 next season and – as the club have admitted themselves – is seriously injury-prone.
The ex Bournemouth and England striker certainly doesn’t fit the recruitment policy of Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay.
That has given rise to theories that Wilson is being foisted on Potter and Macaulay by the board.
Whether that is the case only those in the recruitment setup will truly know.
But the timing of an exciting new transfer link is intriguing to say the least.
Hammers to watch Metz star Gueye before deciding on bid
Because Macaulay has taken action on a young striker sensation after West Ham’s Wilson frightener.
Just hours after Hammers News revealed West Ham expect to sign Wilson, the club has been linked with a brand new name in the striker frame.
And the player in question certainly fits the transfer policy of Potter and Macaulay better than Wilson.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, West Ham are chasing Metz’s teenage ‘sensation’ Gueye.
The good news for the Hammers is that Nixon claims they are only fighting Southampton for Gueye’s signature.
Sun journalist Nixon claims Macaulay has arranged for West Ham to watch Gueye in action for Metz in their pre-season friendly against Lens this weekend.
West Ham have a unique ‘in’ to land Gueye too – as they have just signed his international teammate and close friend El Hadji Malick Diouf.
According to the report, West Ham are being pushed to make a quick decision on a deal for Gueye because Southampton have already made an official approach.
West Ham have ace card in Gueye’s pal Diouf
The 18-year-old scored six goals in 13 games during his breakthrough season as he helped Metz get promoted back to Ligue 1.
Gueye’s all-round game has been so impressive for one so young that he was named on the bench for Senegal’s 3-1 win over England last month.
Coach Pape Thiaw is already tipping the reported Hammers target to be a starter soon.
It is claimed Metz want around £18 million for the latest talent off a production line famous for producing the likes of Louis Saha and Sadio Mane.
Metz director of football Frederic Arpinon has compared 6ft 2in Gueye to France legend Olivier Giroud.
All eyes now turn to how Gueye performs this weekend against Lens.
If a player like Gueye was signed alongside someone like Wilson, West Ham fans would be all for it.
One for the here and now and one to build up to eventually become the club’s main striker.
Whether that would be possible remains to be seen.
But it seems Macaulay has been spooked into action and if Gueye shines this weekend, it may just put a spanner in the works for Wilson moving to east London.
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