Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has offered an exciting take on West Ham’s prospects of completing meaningful business this month.
Speaking to Football Insider, the pundit has said that West Ham’s reported transfer targets are great cause for excitement when the likes of Youssef En-Nesyri and Ismailla Sarr are considered.
Having sold Sebastien Haller to Ajax earlier this month, West Ham are expected to be pushing hard to sign a replacement with the proceeds of the sale.
At present, Michail Antonio is the only experienced first team regular who David Moyes can deploy as a natural striker, meaning there is a lack of depth and competition up front.
The Athletic recently revealed that the Hammers have lodged a bid with La Liga side Sevilla for Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri but that offer was swiftly rebuffed by the 2020 Europa League winners.
A separate report in Spanish publication Marca has claimed that Sevilla want as much as €40m (£35.58m) for their striker, who has been at the club for little over a year after he was signed from Leganes last January. The Moroccan has managed 12 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions this season.
When asked for his thoughts, Robinson told Football Insider:
I’m still very surprised that Haller has gone for half of what the club paid for him but I am not surprised that he has left. It does not make any business sense.
But the system that David Moyes wants to play and how he wants to play, Haller did not fit into that. The club have accepted that and cut their losses. In a way, they have backed the manager by selling a player. They have sold him on the basis that he does not fit David Moyes’ system.
It would be great business if they can get Sarr in to replace him. They will want somebody in before the transfer deadline so we can expect to hear West Ham announce some business very soon.
Read West Ham Verdict
With cash to splash, the need for a new striker has an element of urgency to it. Robinson is right – there must be a fairly strong chance that there is a deal to be done.
However, West Ham must avoid rushing themselves into any more expensive deals unless they can be certain of a fairly strong return.
