If you asked ChatGPT to name the most typical West Ham United signing, then former Newcastle and England striker Callum Wilson would probably feature pretty highly among the results.
An ageing, once-great footballer arriving at the London Stadium well past his best?
The West Ham United faithful have seen this plenty of times before, and rarely has it gone well.
Yet, despite the fact that West Ham promised to focus on youth this summer, Hammers News understands that Callum Wilson has been offered a one-year deal with the option of an extension. If the £19 million addition of El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague felt like a club moving into the modern era, then 33-year-old Wilson may represent a frustrating step in the wrong direction for a fanbase pleading for a more long-term approach to recruitment.
Gabby Agbonlahor advises West Ham United in Callum Wilson talks
Not only is his age a concern, the fact is that Callum Wilson missed 114 games for Newcastle through injury during his five years at St James’ Park. That is the equivalent of three full Premier League campaigns.
So Gabby Agbonlahor, reacting on talkSPORT to the news of Wilson’s likely arrival, says what many Hammers fans are thinking when he argues that the veteran poacher should only be brought in on one condition.
“I think it’s a deal that you get done but it [should not be] your main target,” the former Aston Villa captain says. “It’s a case of the set wages Callum Wilson will get.
“He will give you 15, 20 games but with his injury record he will probably not play as much as you would like.
“But the package you give him [should be] more ‘pay as you play’.”
Agbonlahor believes that West Ham must first convince Wilson to accept a massive cut on the wages he was earning at Newcastle, before arranging a contract based around his availability.
“Let’s say, Callum Wilson was on 100k-a-week at Newcastle. Now, you get £30,000-a-week,” Agbonlahor adds. “Or structure the deal that way so that, if you don’t play, West Ham aren’t paying over the odds for a player who might be in the treatment room, which is fair.
“It’s a shame [injuries have stalled Wilson’s career]. I feel sorry for some of these players. Injuries are not their fault.”
West Ham snub Dominic Calvert-Lewin with two strikers wanted
Interestingly, West Ham ruled out signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin when his Everton deal expired at the beginning of the month, a source highlighting the fitness issues which have also taken their toll on the former Toffees targetman.
It appears that the Hammers would be much more comfortable taking a punt on Wilson, however.
Perhaps the ex-Bournemouth striker is more willing to play a supporting role heading towards his mid-30s. Or, perhaps, he is open to accepting a pay-as-you-play arrangement at the London Stadium.
A spokesman for the club’s board told Hammers News a few days ago that West Ham hope to sign two strikers this summer.
As such, supporters fearing that Wilson and Niclas Fullkrug will be battling for a starting role next season can rest assured in the knowledge that a younger, faster, fitter option remains on the table.
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