West Ham United have thrown their hat into the ring to rescue Joshua Zirkzee from life on the Manchester United bench and, according to reporter Mateo Moretto, there is reason to be hopeful in East London.
After Nuno confirmed that Niclas Fullkrug will be unavailable following yet another injury blow, this shed the harshest of lights on the importance of adding another centre-forward to the Hammers’ ranks during the January window.
Ahead of Monday’s trip to Brentford, West Ham United have only two fit strikers. A 33-year-old Callum Wilson and a youngster in Callum Marshall who only made his Premier League debut last time out at Arsenal.
From Chris Wood to Vitor Roque, Endrick to Mateo Pellegrini, a whole number of potential solutions have been put forward with varying degrees of accuracy.
Joshua Zirkzee, reportedly a long-time target, has been linked again in recent times with opportunities few and far between at Old Trafford. Prominent Hammers insider ExWHUemployee backed up suggestions, emerging a few weeks ago, that Man United’s number eleven is indeed a target for the winter window.
Now, speaking opposite Fabrizio Romano, Italian reporter Mateo Moretto has given the Hammers further reason for optimism.
Mateo Moretto talks up West Ham’s interest in Manchester United ace Joshua Zirkzee
Despite alleged interest from Roma, Juventus and an ambitious Como outfit coached by Cesc Fabregas, Moretto insists that there is nothing to suggest right now that Zirkzee is returning to Serie A. He adds, with a great deal of certainty mind you, that West Ham are also right at the front of the queue, albeit at this very early stage.
“I want to give some more information about Zirkzee,” Moretto says. “I want to confirm that, clearly, we are still not sure what kind of road [he will] take.
“There are still some factors to consider. [With] Amorim, it remains to be seen if the hierarchy may change between now and January. But it is clear that Zirkzee wants on the field more. It is clear that if this continues, Zirkzee will look for a solution.
“I can assure you that there are clubs. Premier League clubs are very attentive to Zirkzee’s situation, including West Ham.”
The former Bologna, Bayern Munich and Anderlecht forward has played only 74 minutes of top-flight football this season, falling behind Benjamin Sesko in the Red Devils’ pecking order.
National team boss Ronald Koeman has also indicated that Zirkzee will be omitted from the Netherlands’ World Cup plans if his situation remains the same. The Feyenoord academy graduate was left out of Koeman’s squad for the October internationals.
“Lately, there has been talk of Roma. There has been talk about Como. Well, I can tell you that, in Italy, Como is not a possibility,” Moretto adds. “In fact, they tell me that it is very cold. Clearly, in Italy anyone would take Zirkzee. But what I can tell you is that there are no advanced talks.
“We are truly in an embryonic stage. There are no clubs that have moved [beyond showing an initial interest]
“West Ham are definitely there. But I can guarantee that, in the Premier League and in Italy, there are so many clubs that will be ready within two or three weeks to possibly take the step if the situation does not change.”
Chris Wood and Real Madrid starlet Endrick are January options
While not the most prolific of centre-forwards, many West Ham fans like the idea of Joshua Zirkzee linking up with Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville.
The 6ft 4ins giant excels when dropping deep and flicking the ball on for speedy forwards – a la the Hammers’ first-choice widemen – to dart in behind.
Hammers News have been told that Nottingham Forest targetman Chris Wood is an option, having scored 20 Premier League goals under Nuno last term. West Ham are long-time admirers of Real Madrid wonderkid Endrick, too.
Parma’s Mateo Pellegrino, Cruzeiro’s Kaio Jorge and Palmeiras’ one-time Barcelona prospect Vitor Roque appeared via reports, as well.
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