West Ham United have suffered a gutting blow after target Loic Remy dismissed talk of a move away from Stamford Bridge.
According to the Standard, French striker Remy has expressed his desire to challenge for his place in the starting lineup, despite the arrival of on-loan striker, Radamel Falcao.
The Chelsea hitman has been one of Bilic’s most sought-after targets since taking over at Upton Park, along with United striker Javier Hernandez. While also being “flattered” by links to the likes of Crystal Palace and a possible replacement for Christian Benteke at Aston Villa, Loic confirmed he “never wanted to leave” the club.
“I am flattered by other teams wanting me, but I have never wanted to leave this club because I feel really good here,” Remy is quoted in the Standard.
“Of course I want to play more but I am sure I can do that here. That’s my target. I will just try to make it happen, by working hard and showing the manager he can count on me. My mind is here and I don’t want to leave.
“I know there are a lot of games and I will have my chance. I have to be ready at a good time and not be injured.
“I was happy with what I did last season, but I want to do more. I want to play and score more. My focus is the same.”
He provided useful backup, alongside Didier Drogba, when Diego Costa, top scorer under Jose Mourinho last season, struggled with a niggling hamstring problem. Holding his own in a league-winning side is proof enough that he could have spearheaded a new-look West Ham side this season, as they look to challenge both domestically and in Europe.
The damming news might just be the wake-up call the claret and blue outfit need to snap up a quality striker before all options disappear. Slaven Bilic’s and the Irons board have already seen efforts to sign Hernandez and Roma’s Mattia Destro come to no fruition.
Striker plans must surely be being hurriedly put together in light of other disappointing developments in East London. Record-signing and injury-plagued striker Andy Carroll has now been ruled out of first-team action until mid-October in a bid to gradually improve his match fitness and avoid rushing him back.
That being the case though, Bilic’s team need to find more attacking support from somewhere, or face bringing youngsters Lee and Samuelsen into the big-time earlier than foreseen.
