West Ham United are set to miss out on one striker in their search for a forward, as some of Europe’s top teams could go above them in the transfer race.
Since joining West Ham United, it is clear that things have not gone to plan for Julen Lopetegui. The side sit 13th in the table after their 2-1 win against Manchester United this past weekend, but given this is a side that won a European trophy two years ago, it is clear that this is a club that has lifted their ambitions to greater things.
Bringing in a manager with the Spaniard’s experience is a step towards lifting those expectations; he has experience among Europe’s elite with a brief stint in charge of Real Madrid while winning the Europa League with Sevilla.
The forward department has become somewhat of a problem for the club; they have brought in one striker, but issues have arisen which have seen them return to their original choice of Michail Antonio. While they target a player who has recently won a European trophy, they do not have continental football on offer, which could set them back in their pursuit.
West Ham United target Europa League winner.
One player who has emerged on their radar has been Europa League winner Ademola Lookman, who has established himself in Europe with Italian side Atalanta. The Nigerian has four goals and four assists in Serie A this season, averaging a match rating of 7.95 in his six games played. His standout performance came most recently during their 6-1 thrashing of Verona, where he picked up two goals and two assists.
Last season, the Italian outfit went into the Europa League final in a position where you could very much call them the underdogs as they met Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen. The German side were on an unprecedented run and were one game away from completing an entire season undefeated in all competitions, looking to secure their fourth trophy. Lookman was the man who singlehandedly disrupted those plans, as he scored a hattrick in the final, becoming the first African player to score three goals in a European final, as well as the first player ever to score one in the Europa League final era.
Performances like that have put teams on notice, and West Ham United have become one of them to look at the man who finished 17th in the Ballon d’Or rankings as an option. However, it appears European giants Paris Saint-Germain would be the frontrunners to secure his signature, according to Football Insider, as West Ham would not have the finances to compete after heavy summer spending.
West Ham United boss loses faith in summer signing.
As stated above, the forward department has been lacking despite their summer transfer activity. The Hammers brought in Niclas Fullkrug after an impressive Euro 2024 campaign and reaching the finals of the Champions League last season. A player with his experience would have a positive impact on the team, you would imagine, but he has failed to make a start in the Premier League for them.
Part of this has been due to the German’s continued story of injury problems, which he has recently returned to Germany for treatment. But the situation has frustrated the Hammers boss, who has recently called for backing in the January transfer window.
Could Paris Saint-Germain transfer activity open the door for a West Ham United transfer?
While Paris Saint-Germain is a side looking at Lookman, it could mean that West Ham turned to the French capital in their search for a striker. Recently, French outlet L’Equipe reported that France international Randal Kolo Muani’s time may be up at Parc des Princes. They stated that the forward could be available for as little as €40 million.
While the Hammers were not one of the clubs mentioned in the article linked with a move, they could certainly be an option for the 25-year-old, who has disappointed since his move from Frankfurt.
His game time has become limited at the French giants after a €90 million move, even after Kylian Mbappe’s departure and Goncalo Ramos’ injury. With that limited time at a big club, it could be easy to see why he may not be swayed by another big-name move to clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, who have been touted as potential destinations. He thrived in the Bundesliga with Frankfurt, and a move to West Ham could see him resemble a similar stature in domestic football.