---
title: "Five strikers who could replace Sebastien Haller this month"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/01/07/five-strikers-who-could-replace-sebastien-haller-at-west-ham/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-01-07T20:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-07T20:00:00Z"
---

# Five strikers who could replace Sebastien Haller this month

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/07/fans-share-love-for-robert-snodgrass-farewell-tweet/) striker [Sebastien Haller](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/07/ajax-in-talks-with-west-ham-over-sebastien-haller-deal/) is reportedly [edging towards the London Stadium exit](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/07/west-ham-striker-sebastien-haller-a-25m-target-for-ajax) as the 26-year-old looks to end what has turned out to be a disappointing spell with the Hammers.

The powerful Ivorian [arrived on a club-record £45m fee in 2019](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49017405) but, aside from the occasional [spectacular goal](https://www.planetfootball.com/trending/west-ham-sebastien-haller-and-his-transformation-into-the-ivorian-ibrahimovic/), he has largely failed to live up to the hype and could now be set to head to Ajax.

David Moyes is unlikely to have sanctioned the sale without a [replacement being lined up](https://theathletic.co.uk/2285846/2020/12/27/west-ham-transfers-antonio/) and the Irons have been linked with a plethora of names already this month.

We have run the rule over the potential candidates to succeed Haller at West Ham…

### Josh King

Perhaps the [most widely linked](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/08/west-ham-reluctant-to-pay-175m-to-sign-joshua-king-from-bournemouth) replacement for Haller, with rumours dating back to the summer. The Norwegian international is a [proven goalscorer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joshua-king/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/91059/wettbewerb/GB1) in the Premier League and is [keen to leave](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/09/11/bournemouth-prepared-let-josh-king-leave-amid-interest-premier/) Bournemouth.

Current form may be [off-putting](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joshua-king/leistungsdaten/spieler/91059) but history says the 28-year-old can cut it at this level.

### Marko Arnautovic

Plenty of dread around this well-trodden ground. Having left the Irons on [almost the worst possible terms](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/04/west-ham-to-sell-marko-arnautovic-25m-euros-china) previously, the Austrian is perhaps a surprise candidate for a second coming.

However, there is [speculation linking](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-transfer-news-arnautovic-moyes-january-window-b696888.html) him with a Hammers return and he could come back with a point to prove and [plenty of ill-feeling](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/05/west-ham-fans-react-to-clubs-rejection-of-marko-arnautovic/) to quell.

### Adam Hlozek

Very much an unproven talent at 18 but the young Czech star is [hot property](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/adam-hlozek-europes-biggest-clubs-sign-czech-teen/1stna4yfi0y9l1xn4ft91dn089) and, with the[endorsement of Tomas Soucek](https://www.claretandhugh.info/hammers-on-czech-scouting-mission/), the Slavia Prague teenager could soon be an Irons favourite.

### Moussa Dembele

Another [long-time suitor](https://www.90min.com/posts/west-ham-united-interested-in-lyon-moussa-dembele), the Frenchman certainly has a [goalscoring record](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/moussa-dembele/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/229004)worthy of a move but the Lyon man’s [£36m valuation](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/moussa-dembele/marktwertverlauf/spieler/229004) could prove to be a major spanner in the works.

### Lassina Traore

The most [recently-linked](https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/961264/ajax-spits-traor-kan-rekenen-op-interesse-van-twee-premier-league-clubs.html) of this quintet with a move to West Ham, a deal for the 19-year-old Ajax prodigy certainly becomes more viable with Haller heading the other way.

It is early days in his career but the [signs of a star in the making](https://www.90min.com/posts/lassina-traore-things-to-know-about-ajax-latest-prodigy) have been apparent.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Ultimately the Hammers needed a readymade striker before Haller’s departure was even on the table. The substantial hole left by [Michail Antonio’s ongoing injuries](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-michail-antonio-injury-latest-david-moyes-crystal-palace-b323798.html) has left Moyes [bereft of centre-forward depth](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/west-ham-united/kadernachposition/verein/379) all too often.

These five names prove that options are out there, with the likes of [Graziano Pelle](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/graziano-pelle-west-ham-transfer-23264268) not even being included.

Thanks largely to Moyes, the club are on a far more [assured footing this season](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) and should have their sights set a little higher than simply avoiding relegation, so their transfer ambitions should be adjusted accordingly.