West Ham’s hunt for a striker has been well documented this transfer window, with various forwards being linked to a London Stadium move.
The main target has been Maxi Gómez, as reported by ExWHUEmployee, with a plethora of other names being linked.
Though it has been reported by the Daily Star that the Uruguayan would prefer a move to Valencia, with the paper adding that Real Betis are now favourites to sign fellow Hammers target Aleksandar Mitrović.
While the Hammers have a long list of targets, this news should certainly be seen as worrying, as there are already signs that options aside from Gómez are beginning to deplete.
It had already been reported by ExWHUEmployee that any deal for the Celta Vigo striker could be stretched out across the transfer window – which is especially likely considering he is now at the Copa América with Uruguay, who are expected to go deep into the competition.
The final of the Copa América isn’t until Sunday 7th July, so a definitive answer can’t be guaranteed until after that point; by that time a lot of transfer business will have been done, with it highly likely some of that will have involved strikers West Ham have shown an interest in.
With this in mind, the Hammers could be walking straight into an all or nothing situation with their pursuit of Gómez, going all in on the poker hand which could have an impact on the club’s entire season.
Come out victorious and the top target is draped in claret and blue, lose out and the club could be left with incredibly limited time and options in their search for a striker.
With Andy Carroll having been released, Lucas Pérez sold and Javier Hernández likely to leave, according to ExWHUEmployee it is imperative that new options are brought in, with Marko Arnautovic and Jordan Hugill currently the only senior strikers at the club.
If Gómez does end up making the move to East London this will all be worth it, but if he doesn’t the club could struggle to bring in a high-quality striker for yet another transfer window.
