West Ham United have been linked with a potential move for Juventus outcast Gonzalo Higuain.
As Manuel Pellegrini’s search for a striker becomes ever more acute attentions have turned to the Argentine Chelsea loan flop.
That’s according to Sky Sports Italia who claim West Ham have asked Juventus for Higuain at a cost of £35million.
Higuain next on West Ham’s list claims report
The Hammers reportedly want Higuain initially on loan with the option to buy.
Sky Sports Italia claim that option would become an obligation if certain conditions were met during the Premier League season.
The 31 year old has endured difficult spells loan spells with Milan and Chelsea in recent seasons.
The report claims Higuain has turned down Roma ‘but could accept another go at the Premier League’.
Striker situation becoming increasingly acute
It comes after a number of failed attempts to land a forward so far this summer, the most high profile being that of Maxi Gomez.
Higuain is one of several alternatives said to be on West Ham’s list.
But for rival fans the rumour has little credibility.
West Ham have been rather savagely mocked over the links.
Rival fans savage Hammers over Higuain links
Many rival football fans feel Higuain is too good for the Hammers.
Others believe it is typical of West Ham to try and sign a player many deem past his best.
Here are a selection of comments from Twitter on West Ham’s reported interest.
Scraping the barrel tonight! Higuain – West Ham 😂😂😂😂
— Adam (@LCFCtilIDie1989) July 11, 2019
😂😂West Ham ask for higuain ?? For what a signed photo 😂😂😂
— james hoskins (@jimbuzz82) July 11, 2019
Higuain hearing West Ham want to sign him 😬 pic.twitter.com/BTELYNta4U
— ShotOnGoal Transfers (@SOGTransfers) July 11, 2019
Can anyone inform me how West Ham can buy/attract any/every player? Pursuits of Higuain moving to the club. I’m baffled
— Stormy Chaput (@ChaputAfterDark) July 11, 2019
West Ham trying to sign higuain on loan according to sky 😂
— Zain🔰 (@ZainUtd) July 11, 2019
West Ham want Gonzalo Higuaín on loan. Have they seen his Chelsea record? 🤔
— 18 games
— 5 goals
— 0 assists#WHUFC#Higuaín#ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/AfiXCpnXzO— Football Whispers (@FB_WHISPERS) July 11, 2019
Higuain would be the single most obvious West Ham signing ever. Spends over half a season injured, scores 3 all season. Adds to their growing list of funny striker stats
— DT (@Dan_Turner_93) July 11, 2019
Is West Ham bidding for Gonzalo Higuain, the most West Ham move ever ?
— Daniel Roodt🇿🇦 (@daniel_roodt) July 11, 2019
‘Have I missed something the last 10 years?’
why would west ham want higuain he couldn’t perform with Chelsea’s midfielders supplying him. west ham won’t get anything out of him
— Peter (@PJ_Jenno) July 11, 2019
Quand tu reçois une notification « Higuain vers West Ham et Diego Costa vers Wolverhampton » pic.twitter.com/eKTMeTTvd1
— Babacar Sall (@BabSall) July 11, 2019
@WestHamUtd after Higuain on loan apparently, I take it no one there bothered to watch @ChelseaFC last season then no?🤷🏽♂️#PromoteYouth
— chris (@cjsmiffy1978) July 11, 2019
I thought Chelsea had to offer £40m to West Ham for the Higuain transfer 😂😂😂
— All Whites, Grass & Fedal ❤️ (@SachinInCuttack) July 11, 2019
Higuain to West Ham!? 😂😂 most jokes headline yet #TransferTalk
— Matty (@mattyadams84) July 11, 2019
Haha West Ham want to sign Higuain 😂😂
— Dylan Gaynor (@Gaynor26111) July 11, 2019
So Higuain to West Ham, Diego Costa to Wolves this transfer window is starting to be a real life fifa career mode
— Cameron (@Cammo2704) July 11, 2019
Have I missed something in the past 10 years?! Who do West Ham think they are? HIGUAIN?! 😂😂😂😂
— lagerfanny (@harkbomb) July 11, 2019
If West Ham have genuine Higuain chance, take it
Whatever the opinions of West Ham’s rivals if Pellegrini could pull off the signing of Higuain it would be quite a coup.
It was not that long ago he was the European golden boot winner.
In one season at Napoli, Higuain netted 38 goals in 42 games taking his tally in just three seasons there to 91 in 146 matches.
After a big money move to Juventus Higuain scored 55 goals in 105 games, better than a goal every other match.
He continued his goal every other game ratio on loan at Milan scoring 8 in 16 starts.
At Chelsea his record took a hit but many of his appearances came as a substitute.
If West Ham have a genuine chance to sign a striker with 295 goals from 595 games – at the very top level – they surely must take that chance.