There has been so much written and said about the striker situation at West Ham following some big decisions in the summer.
West Ham were linked with a plethora of strikers in the summer.
As the window wore on three or four names were continually linked.
That suggests they were the stars very much in the sights of West Ham technical director Tim Steidten and new boss Julen Lopetegui.
Jhon Duran is said to have been the club’s prime target. But the move didn’t happen and that ship has now well and truly sailed – or rather sunk from West Ham’s point of view.
Steidten was also reportedly desperate to try and bring Lille’s Jonathan David at one stage.
Tammy Abraham was among those linked as were Norway forward Alexander Sorloth and Artem Dovbyk.
In the end Steidten opted to sign compatriot Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund for £23.5m.
Thus far the move has been a bit of a nightmare for the player and the Hammers.
West Ham strike out in search for new young forward
Eyebrows were raised about 31-year-old Fullkrug’s age and injury record when West Ham moved for him.
And he has all too predictably missed over half of his new club’s matches so far.
Worse still there is no firm return date for Fullkrug, leaving Lopetegui relying on soon-to-be 35-year-old Michail Antonio – who has one goal in seven games this season – and 32-year-old Danny Ings.
There was one striker who was heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium in the summer, though, who was said to be a top target for West Ham’s Spanish manager.
Way back in April, Hammers News reported on claims that West Ham were lining up a move for Samu Omorodion.
It was even reported at one stage the Hammers made an official £33m offer for the giant forward.
Now Spanish sensation Omorodion has made an admission over his transfer and it’s a big relief for West Ham.
Omorodion’s admission over transfer is a big relief for West Ham
With West Ham missing out on Julian Alvarez and Viktor Gyokeres for relative peanuts in recent years, the Duran clanger has not gone down well with Hammers fans.
Especially in light of Fullkrug’s injury problems supporters had flagged when being linked.
So the fact Omorodion has also been an overnight success after joining Porto from Atletico Madrid in the summer has piled the pressure on Steidten too.
The 20-year-old, who won Olympic Gold in the summer with Spain, has scored seven goals in five starts already for Porto.
That includes a brace against Man United last week.
Omorodion’s heroics have been another bitter striker pill to swallow for the Hammers faithful.
Thankfully, though, there’s some welcome good news regarding his transfer.
From the man himself.
Because Omorodion has told O Jogo he was close to a big transfer to London in the summer.
But not with West Ham United.
“I went through a very difficult period, because, after all, everyone knows that I was about to sign for Chelsea,” Omorodion said.
“But the truth is that it didn’t happen. It was for one reason: God didn’t want it.
“I’m very happy, very content to be there (Porto). The truth is that things are going very well for me and, above all, I want to continue to show what I’m capable of.”
That will come as a relief not just to West Ham fans but Steidten and Lopetegui too.
Yes Duran, Gyokeres and Alvarez – players the club has openly admitted to having missed out on – sting.
But Omorodion cannot be used as a stick with which to beat Steidten in the striker debate.
However, it remains an area the Hammers simply must go out and find a top young talent in.
And with Fullkrug’s issues that may just have to be in January.
Certainly if West Ham are serious about trying to get back into Europe.
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