West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini and Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are both seriously light of striker options.
West Ham splashed out £45million to make Sebastien Haller the club’s record signing in the summer.
The trouble is the club shipped out all FIVE of last season’s strikers as Andy Carroll, Lucas Perez, Jordan Hugill, Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez departed the Hammers.
Unproven Albian Ajeti joined in a late, low risk £8m gamble but has been disappointing in his two cup outings so far.
Striker light
Manchester United find themselves similarly short of options. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer allowed Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to leave for Inter Milan.
It may only be October but both West Ham and the Red Devils have been linked with moves for strikers in January.
Indeed one such target, Juventus star Mario Mandzukic, is reportedly on the radar of both Pellegrini and Solskjaer (The Daily Mail).
In a straight shootout you would expect Manchester United to pip West Ham to a signing.
Solskjaer comments give Hammers heart
But the Hammers will be given hope by new comments from Solskjaer (Sky Sports) regarding his plans to sign a striker in January.
“Of course, when we let Alexis (Sanchez) and (Romelu) Lukaku go, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know it’s a forward we’re going to try to recruit next time,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports.
“We’re looking for some creativity and goals, but they (potential signings) have to be the right one. There were strikers available but not the ones we wanted. We couldn’t get the one we wanted (in the summer).
“When you get players in, you need the right ones that are going to stay here for a long period of time and that’s the long-term thinking we have to show.”
The ideal back-up for Haller?
At 33 – and turning 34 before next season – Mandzukic certainly would not fit that profile for Manchester United.
Solskjaer’s comments surely all but rule out a move for Mandzukic.
That could clear the path for West Ham. And the Croatian would make the ideal, experienced partner for Haller.
A two-year deal would suit all parties and Mandzukic can operate as a striker or wide in a front three.
Mandzukic has not played a single game for Juve this season and has been left out of their Champions League squad.
The Daily Mail claims the Italian giants want just £9m for the 245-goal forward.
In the meantime West Ham just have to hope they can keep Haller fit and firing.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
