One wonders what the response would be if West Ham United contacted former midfielder Gary O’Neil to ask his opinion about free-scoring Strasbourg striker Joaquin Panichelli.
O’Neil, who replaced Liam Rosenior in the Racing dugout a month ago, would probably start with a glowing assessment on the Argentine’s outstanding debut season in Ligue 1.
Followed by a firm ‘hands off’.
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West Ham United reportedly took ‘an interest’ in Panichelli ahead of the January transfer window, before Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos arrived at the London Stadium for in excess of £40 million [The West Ham Way].
By Hammers News’ count, Panichelli was one of over 30 strikers linked with the Premier League outfit over a period of a short few months; over 30 links with varying degrees of truth.
But as the Golden Boot-chasing sensation continues where he left off under Rosenior alongside Gary O’Neil, expect the speculation to go into overdrive from here on out.
Joaquin Panichelli hits 20 amid West Ham United interest
Inevitably, Chelsea have been mentioned as a potential destination Panichelli; another BlueCo raid of their Strasbourg sister club allegedly on the cards.
Chelsea have already secured Emanuel Emegha’s services, though. Whether there is space at Stamford Bridge for the other Strasbourg striker – arguably the best Strasbourg striker – only time will tell.
There is certainly a spot at the Camp Nou for Panichelli. The 23-year-old is reportedly on Barcelona’s post-Robert Lewandowski shortlist.
In the meantime, a brace in Strasbourg’s 3-2 win at an increasingly-doomed FC Nantes on the weekend took Panichelli’s tally to 20. He is ninth in the European Golden Boot rankings – behind the likes of Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago – and also overtakes Marseille’s Mason Greenwood as the top scorer in France’s Ligue 1.
Six of those 20 goals have been penalties, granted. But there is a real variety about Panichelli’s finishes. Crashing headers, instinctive pokes, audacious chips, and even the odd overhead kick.
A 6ft 3ins giant with the almost weightless elegance of a ballet dancer, you can certainly see the influence of Olivier Giroud on his game.
“I always say [Giroud] was one of the players I admired most, especially when he was at Arsenal,” Panichelli told beIN Sports recently. “Maybe apart from what [Karim] Benzema was, for example, or what [Erling] Haaland is today.
“But when I was 14, 15, 16, I watched [Giroud] a lot because I saw myself as similar to him physically and technically.”
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This is the second consecutive season in which Panichelli has broken the 20-goal barrier. His tally of 21 came at Mirandes in the Spanish second tier last season.
Netting once each against Lyon, Lens and Lille, plus a brace against PSG, it’s fair to say his 2025/26 return is far more impressive.
And there is still plenty of time left to make this the most prolific campaign of his career before West Ham, Barcelona, Chelsea and various others consider turning their admiration into something more concrete.
“He is a model of professionalism,” beams the aforementioned O’Neil. “He has my utmost respect.
“If I were to buy a Racing jersey, I would have his name printed on it.”
With reports suggesting that West Ham may be in the market for another striker this summer – talks have been held with Chivas’ Armando Gonzalez while Bologna’s Santiago Castro is one to watch – is there a chance that Panichelli’s name will be printed on the back of a claret and blue jersey somewhere down the line?
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