West Ham United are exploring a move for Leeds United striker Joel Piroe after Nuno Espírito Santo made a blunt public plea for more attacking reinforcements following the 2-2 draw at Burnley.
The Joel Piroe West Ham link arrives at an interesting moment. talkSPORT reports the Hammers are considering the 27-year-old as an alternative to long-term target Troy Parrott, with Leeds potentially open to either a permanent sale or a loan carrying an obligation to buy.
Piroe would bring something particularly valuable to West Ham’s promotion push: a proven Championship scoring record.
Joel Piroe record makes West Ham interest stand out
Piroe has scored 73 goals in 179 Championship appearances across spells with Swansea City and Leeds.
That experience separates him from many of the forwards linked with West Ham this summer.
ReadWestHam has already examined the pressure on Nuno to build a squad capable of delivering immediate promotion, and Sunday’s draw at Burnley exposed why another striker remains high on the agenda.
Taty Castellanos struggled to impose himself consistently at Turf Moor, while Pablo Felipe was withdrawn at half-time as West Ham eventually surrendered a two-goal advantage.
Nuno made his feelings clear afterwards.
Speaking after the game, the West Ham boss said the club were working hard to bring players in and added that reinforcements were needed “especially in the offensive part of the team.”
That makes the timing of the Piroe link particularly significant.
West Ham could find Championship-ready solution
West Ham have already committed heavily to their promotion push, including reaching a £22m agreement for Arne Engels.
Attack now appears to be the next major area requiring attention.
talkSPORT reports Piroe started only twice in the Premier League last season and could be allowed to leave Leeds, although his wages may become an obstacle during negotiations.
West Ham have also pursued Parrott, but competition for the AZ Alkmaar striker is significant.
That could make Piroe a more attainable alternative.
For a club whose immediate objective is escaping the Championship, signing somebody with 73 goals in the divisionwould require very little guesswork about whether he can produce at this level.
Nuno has publicly identified the problem.
Piroe could now emerge as one of West Ham’s clearest solutions.
