Just as the January transfer window accelerates towards its end in a week, the rumours linking West Ham to a host of centre-forward options accelerates at the same pace.
RB Leipzig’s Hwang Hee-chan is the latest marksman to be linked with a move to east London, with Bild claiming that the player is destined for a Premier League move.
Journalist Ronan Murphy has added further fuel to the fire by claiming there is ‘speculation’ that West Ham could be a likely destination.
Hwang Hee-Chan is set to move to the Premier League on loan from RB Leipzig. There has been speculation that West Ham could be interested following the sale of Sebastien Haller. #RBL #WHUFC https://t.co/WtnqAECFcA
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) January 24, 2021
Following the sale of club-record signing Sebastien Haller to Ajax this month, the South Korean hitman is the latest striker to be linked to the London Stadium – and with good reason.
The ex-Red Bull Salzburg man, once hailed as ‘brilliant’ and ‘absolutely crazy’ by his former teammate Erling Haaland, is a four-time Austrian Bundesliga champion.
Valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, the South Korean has yet to settle at new club RB Leipzig, where he has made just nine appearances and scored one solitary goal.
He may therefore be allowed to leave the Bundesliga side and revitalise his career elsewhere before they face Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League in three weeks’ time.
Read West Ham Verdict
Hwang’s lack of goals in the German top flight could be cause for concern, given that reliable competition with Michail Antonio is a must in any winter acquisition for West Ham.
However, an initial six-month loan spell would minimise financial restraint, offering a try-before-you-buy scenario to the Hammers.
He has tested the likes of Liverpool and Napoli with incisive performances in the Champions League and has offered glimpses that he has what it takes to compete with the best.
The Korean marksman must not be written off; a move could be redemptive for his career and fit West Ham’s need for another striker perfectly.
