Adding much needed-firepower at West Ham costs money: Having blown the transfer budget on Luis Guilherme and Nicklas Fullkrug, Tim Steidten cannot simply keep returning cap in hand to David Sullivan for more cash. The harsh reality of PSR and salary to expenditure ratios mean that The Hammers need to ship out before they can spend.
Under that regime, a loan striker for the balance of the season makes a lot of sense, with recruitment in the middle of the park taking priority. Premier League Brighton are linked with the Hammers today in a report from fichajes.net over ‘once- upon-a-time hot property’ Irish 20 year old striker Evan Ferguson. Once valued by his club at £100m, Ferguson has struggled for game time and at London Stadium would be guaranteed a regular start between now and June: A win-win for both parties.
West Ham desperately need a young front man but don’t have the cash to splash – which is why this report makes sense to both clubs and player. Ferguson wants more game time, Brighton don’t want to sell him and West Ham’s front man needs are only too well known. As the report states:“If finalized, it would be a great opportunity for the Irishman to gain experience in the Premier League and continue his development in English football’s top tier.”
And it might grab some Premier League points for West Ham at the same time. Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with permanent deals – but as yet Ferguson hasn’t done enough to justify the price tag so a short term loan deal might well suit both.
Whatever we might think about matters being in a sorry state if our ‘massive’ club needs to rely on a loan striker for five months – frankly if it pushes a huge shortcoming down the road until Summer it’s a sensible option.
