As West Ham United’s search for a new striker grows increasingly desperate there was a disappointing update from a club insider.
Moyes target now all set for loan after first snubbing West Ham in summer window
The Hammers have been linked with a plethora of strikers since selling Sebastien Haller to Ajax for £20million last week.
Dia emerges as key West Ham target
Many of those have since moved to other clubs. And that seems to have narrowed the field to two or three key targets.
The primary target appears to be Reims striker Boulaye Dia, who has 12 goals in 17 appearances this season.
West Ham boss David Moyes admitted his interest in Dia when asked by presenter Gabby Logan during Amazon’s post match coverage of the 1-0 win over Burnley on Saturday.
But Moyes also told reporters that West Ham had made bids for players which have been knocked back (Football.London).
Insider provides disappointing update and cites proof
Now West Ham insider and Claret & Hugh blogger Sean Whetstone has provided an update on the Dia situation.
And he says there is clear proof the deal is not close.
“Transfer target Boulaye Dia starts today for Reims against Lille,” Whetstone said on Twitter on Sunday.
“The transfer is not as close as some people would like you to believe but there is genuine interest (in) the Antonio-like Senegalese striker who has scored 12 goals from 17 appearances this season in the French top-flight.
“As the manager said himself post match, there are a number of ‘big enquires and offers’ in but he won’t panic buy. He only wants players of quality that will improve the squad. He is happy to rely on a short term loan, youngsters from the Academy and other squad players up front.”
Whetstone makes a salient point about Dia’s involvement against Lille. If a big money deal was in the offing it is doubtful Reims would have risked him.
West Ham owners risk throwing away golden chance in one-off wide open season
Whether West Ham fans are happy with that as a solution is another matter entirely.
Surely West Ham can see this is the most wide open Premier League season for a generation.
West Ham have made their best start to a campaign for at least 22 years. In the 1998/99 campaign West Ham had the same number of points from 18 games and went on to finish fifth.
The club could be on the brink of something special.
But that could all be jeopardised if Moyes does not bring in a new forward. West Ham’s attackers have already showed signs in the last 2 months they are starting to seriously struggle. And that was evident again in the Burnley game.
West Ham cannot pick and choose when they qualify for Europe.
In future campaigns under-performing clubs like Arsenal and Wolves will undoubtedly be a lot stronger.
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