West Ham have been linked with an abundance of strikers this summer and, from a fans point of view, it’s becoming incredibly annoying and frustrating. From having the optimism of signing Alexandre Lacazette at the start of the summer to finding out that the promised ‘marquee striker’ may not be signed after all.
The search for a new frontman has primarily been around the major European leagues and expectedly so, with that being where the best and most proven players usually play. However, desperation could soon be about to kick in so it may be time to start thinking outside of the box and looking elsewhere.
One name which immediately springs to mind is Sebastian Giovinco. The Italian has been capped internationally 23 times but failed to ever really make his mark at Juventus despite playing over 90 games for them, primarily being used as a backup. In his time with the Italian champions, he was loaned out to Empoli and Parma, with the latter buying 50% of his transfer rights for €3m (you can do that in Italy). One year later, Juventus bought that half back for €11 and at one point he was valued at over €40m in Italy.
In his best season in Serie A, Giovinco got a total of 15 goals and eleven assists but, apart from that year, struggled with game time and dips in form. This led to him moving the MLS after winning several titles with the Old Lady, where he has finally reached his potential.
At Toronto FC, the Italian has scored 39 goals in 60 games, becoming the star player in the MLS in the process. While there is the obvious point that the standard of the MLS is nowhere near the standard of the Premier League, it must be remembered who Giovinco was bought to replace at Toronto – Jermaine Defoe. He was not as clinical as Giovinco, yet since returning to the Premier League has been essential in helping Sunderland avoid relegation and been linked with a recall to the England team.
It must also be mentioned, however, that Slaven Bilic appears to not want strikers of a smaller stature at the club as they don’t suit his tactics (look at Ben Yedder as an example) and Giovinco is a tiny 5”4. Yet, Giovinco would not be signed as a ‘marquee striker’, only as a member of the strike force who could offer something different. He’s unlike any striker we have – quick, skilful, both footed and a great finisher and would cost much less than any other striker West Ham have been linked with, likely only between £10-£15m.
Given the service, Sebastian Giovinco could get West Ham at least ten league goals a season and, while it’s not the promised 20-goal-a-season striker, that could be crucial in the difference between gaining a European spot or not. So, while he’s no Alexandre Lacazette, signing Giovinco for such a small fee is more than worth the risk.
