---
title: "Journalist claims West Ham didn’t pursue a striker this summer"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/09/20/journalist-claims-west-ham-didnt-pursue-a-striker-this-summer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-09-20T16:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-09-20T16:00:00Z"
---

# Journalist claims West Ham didn’t pursue a striker this summer

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/09/20/alan-shearer-baffled-by-non-penalty-decision-against-manchester-united/) were widely expected to pursue a striker this summer in order to support [Michail Antonio](https://readwestham.com/2021/09/17/joe-cole-wowed-by-sensational-michail-antonio-display/).

Following the January [departure of Sebastien Haller](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/08/west-ham-sell-sebastien-haller-to-ajax-at-25m-loss), the Hammers have been short on alternatives to the 31-year old Jamaica international.

During the summer, Irons’ boss David Moyes [strengthened the squad](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/west-ham-united/transfers/verein/379) to the tune of Alphonse Areola, Kurt Zouma, Alex Kral and Nikola Vlasic – without adding a recognised frontman.

Football journalist Paul Brown has told [Give Me Sport](https://www.givemesport.com/1755545-west-ham-transfer-news-irons-didnt-make-a-single-striker-bid-this-summer) that the club perhaps weren’t as desperate for a striker as expected.

> They made quite a lot of bids last season for strikers, and none of them came off. I don’t think they actually really bid for a striker properly this time around. I think there were negotiations for quite a few. But they decided ultimately to keep their powder dry because Moyes wanted the money spent in other areas first.

There were certainly [no shortage of links](https://www.90min.com/posts/west-ham-transfer-news-david-moyes-striker) throughout the transfer window, as names such as Adam Armstrong, Tammy Abraham and Gaetan Laborde all fell by the wayside.

Despite the perceived failure to land a new centre-forward, West Ham have [made a strong start](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results) both domestically and in Europe, albeit tasted defeat for the first time on Sunday in Antonio’s absence.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

It’s still rather surprising that the club didn’t prioritise a new striker this summer.

Although Antonio’s absence is currently inflicted by [suspension](https://talksport.com/football/945349/man-utd-thankful-michail-antonio-west-ham-suspended/), there’s no telling when the ace’s next injury will come.

Without their talismanic leader, Moyes is forced to place [round pegs in square holes](https://twitter.com/exwhuemployee/status/1432840751617036291) somewhat and there is no doubt the Irons are a weaker side because of it.