hammer strike
Chelsea World Cup winner, rising Serie A star or Marko Arnautovic back? Five Sebastien Haller replacements West Ham should consider this month
West Ham have had an abundance of disappointing strikers in recent years and unfortunately for Sebastien Haller, he has just joined that list.
The Ivorian has sealed a £20.5million move to Ajax following a difficult 18-month spell in east London where he scored just 10 goals in 48 Premier League appearances.
7
Haller, who joined the Hammers for a whopping £45million from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019, has signed a contract with the Eredivisie side until June 2025.
David Moyes is now on the lookout for a new striker as he looks to continue his side's impressive top-flight campaign.
But who could West Ham sign this month to replace Haller?
marvelbet369.com has identified six potential candidates...
Marko Arnautovic (Shanghai SIPG)
talkSPORT's transfer guru Alex Crook revealed that the Austrian is at the top of Moyes' wish-list of Haller replacements.
The 31-year-old played the best football of his career in a claret and blue shirt, but left a bitter taste in the mouth of Hammers fans after he ditched the club for a big payday with Shanghai SIPG in July 2019.
Arnautovic has managed 17 goals and four assists in 35 games for the Chinese Super League club, but it is claimed he wants to return to Europe after a year-and-a half in the Far East.
7
Salomon Rondon (Dalian Professional)
Another Premier League proven marksman who could be a great option for West Ham is Rondon.
The Venezuelan ace was linked with a shock move to Manchester United last January, but the Red Devils opted to sign Odion Ighalo instead.
Rondon scored 35 goals in 140 Premier League appearances for West Brom and Newcastle.
He signed for the Baggies in a £12million deal from Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2015, before joining Newcastle on loan three years later after his parent club’s relegation to the Championship.
Rondon ended his four-year spell in England by joining Dalian Professional, formerly known as Dalian Yifang, for £16.5m in 2019.
7
M’Bala Nzola (Spezia)
According to , the Hammers are considering a bid to sign French forward N'zola from Serie A newcomers Spezia.
The 24-year-old is flourishing in the Italian top-flight having scored eight times in his last nine Serie A matches.
It is believed his red-hot form has caught the eye of Moyes, who has been attracted by the forward's energetic runs in the channels up front.
It is unclear as to how much the Hammers would have to pay in order to prise him away from Spezia.
7
Josh King (Bournemouth)
The Cherries, who were relegated at the end of last season, are open to selling King before his contract expires next summer and the Hammers could snap up the Norwegian for a cut-price fee.
King started his professional career with Manchester United and came close to sealing a move back to Old Trafford in early 2020.
The 28-year-old has been at Bournemouth since 2015, and has scored 48 Premier League goals in 161 appearances in England’s top-flight.
He would add much-needed Premier League experience to the Hammers' front line.
7
Olivier Giroud (Chelsea)
According to , London Stadium chiefs are also considering an audacious January swoop for Chelsea striker Giroud.
The Frenchman has been one of the Blues' best players this season but has found himself on the sidelines regularly due to the influx of new arrivals at Stamford Bridge.
The World Cup winner would be an incredible signing for the Hammers, but recent reports have suggested he will see out the remainder of his deal in west London.
The 34-year-old, who has nine goals in all competitions this term, will be a free agent next summer.
7
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal)
Another name who has been linked with a move to the London Stadium is Gunners frontman Nketiah.
The 21-year-old is into the final 18 months of his contract and according to the , West Ham have enquired over a possible swoop for the England Under-21s ace.
Nketiah has made 21 appearances for Arsenal this term, managing five goals and one assist, but his first team minutes have dried up in recent weeks due to the resurgence of Alexandre Lacazette.
It is not yet known whether Arsenal would be willing to accept offers for the forward, who is highly-rated at the Emirates.
However, the deal could benefit both parties as the cash-strapped north London club are on the hunt for a creative midfielder this month and need to raise funds to facilitate a move.
7
Topics