Given Blackburn Rovers striker Adam Armstrong‘s prolific first half of this season, many might have expected the 23-year-old to be a wanted man during the January transfer window.
However, despite reported interest from a host of Premier League clubs including West Ham, Rovers manager Tony Mowbray recently confirmed that there were no offers forthcoming for the former Newcastle striker last month.
On the back of further reports over the weekend linking David Moyes with a growing interest in the 17-goal Championship ace, Mowbray has reiterated his stance and the lack of activity. He told the Lancashire Telegraph: ”I’ve had a conversation with a couple of Premier League managers but they’ve not been pushy, just enquired.”
West Ham could really have used a striker with the goal return that Armstrong has produced this term, with Moyes left relying almost exclusively on Michail Antonio to play as a lone striker for the remainder of the season.
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The Hammers’ lack of ways to change the course of a match and to perhaps adapt their style came to the fore on Saturday in the obdurate goalless draw against Fulham. With Antonio uncharacteristically off the boil, Moyes would have almost certainly turned to striking options from the bench, if he had any.
In spite of January’s recruitment efforts, the Irons have been left bereft of centre-forward alternatives and Armstrong, whilst expensive, would represent a highly viable option in the summer as someone with a record of scoring goals, as well as room to grow as a player.
The potential for a summer move may be taken out of West Ham’s hands should Rovers earn promotion to the Premier League – something which would likely see Armstrong remain at Ewood Park.
