A well-connected journalist has told Hammers News that West Ham have opened talks for an exciting striker deal in January.
The excitement of West Ham’s busy summer window already seems a long time ago.
Hammers fans saw the club bring in nine players and 12 departed as technical director Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui led a much-needed rebuild.
After an underwhelming start to the Premier League season, there have been signs – in the win over Ipswich and the second half against Man United – that things are improving.
A number of the summer arrivals have been big hits.
Max Kilman and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have been revelations for West Ham so far.
So much so one of them was named in the Premier League team of the month.
Crysencio Summerville has fans seriously excited.
And defender Jean-Clair Todibo is starting to look the real deal too.
One area West Ham simply had to get right in the summer was the striker department.
Unfortunately so far it seems that Steidten has got it all wrong.
The German chased Villa’s Jhon Duran for nearly two months.
But he chose to save around £20m by signing injury-prone 31-year-old Niclas Fullkrug instead so he could spend his budget elsewhere.
West Ham open talks for exciting striker after Fullkrug blow
Some blame Steidten and others blame the owners for that situation.
Duran has been amazing for Villa ever since, scoring eight goals and starring in the Premier League and Champions League.
Meanwhile Fullkrug has made just three brief substitute cameo appearances in the league, barely touching the ball let alone scoring any goals.
The striker has been dogged by serious injuries throughout his career. And he has been out with a serious Achilles and calf issue ever since the September international break.
The earliest Fullkrug will return is the end of November at Newcastle away.
But he has lost his fitness and conditioning – so it is expected to be much longer.
Especially as West Ham will need to be careful he does not suffer a setback when he does make his return.
Last week it was revealed West Ham are preparing a shortlist of strikers for the January window.
Now a new – but familiar – name has been added to the list.
West Ham have responded to the Fullkrug blow by opening talks for an exciting striker deal in January.
Journalist Graeme Bailey has told Hammers News the club are revisiting a deal for Brazilian forward Yuri Alberto.
West Ham have been heavily linked with Alberto ever since Steidten’s arrival.
Corinthians ‘open’ to loan which suits Hammers says journalist
That included during the summer when the technical director held talks with Corinthians over a deal.
Alberto has actually been linked with West Ham for several years.
The 23-year-old, who has one cap for Brazil, admitted last year West Ham made an official bid for him in 2022.
After a few injury issues, Alberto is back in top form, scoring 14 goals and laying on four assists in his last 28 starts.
That form seems to have convinced West Ham he’s over his injury problems.
Because Bailey says talks are underway about a loan move in January.
And Corinthians are open to a loan with option or obligation – which suits West Ham.
“Alberto is a player that West Ham have known for a long time having bid for him in 2023, they looked at him in the summer too,” Bailey told Hammers News.
“There were questions marks over his fitness and he had a minor operation but now fully fit he is on fire.
“He is interesting as Corinthians would be open to a loan with a view so in that regard he ticks the box for West Ham in terms of finances.
“But there are a few teams looking.”
With soon-to-be 35-year-old Michail Antonio and 32-year-old Danny Ings both out of contract at the end of the season, the Hammers must address the striker situation as a priority.
A younger forward is needed to share the load with Fullkrug in the medium to long term.
Alberto could be the ideal option given West Ham may have a restricted budget until they offload more players.
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