Do Hammers Really Need Another Toxic Striker?

The Maxi Gomez 'will he or won't he' transfer saga seems to have been going on for an age, because that is exactly the case. Long since coveted by Manuel Pellegrini, Gomez knows he is wanted in East London, however, understandably wants to get the best offer he can, namely representing a club that can promise Champions League football.

Of course Hammers interest is long standing, but it was Marko Arnautovic, probably more like his brother, who elevated the level of interest by handing in a transfer request during the January transfer window. That 'want away' was dealt with by an improved wages offer and the signing of a contract extension, for most players that would have been enough, but not Arnie, or Arnie's brother!

Just when the club were in advanced planning for the next season the Duo have been 'at it' again, fortunately this time they do not have the club over a barrel as they had been able to do previously, their combined efforts have only served to accelerate the big sulks exit.

The scenario for Pellegrini and his head of recruitment Mario Husillos to deal with is rather complex, with Andy Carroll thankfully off the pay roll, Robert Pirez 'bounced' and Chicharito destined for a move, Hammers will be woefully short up front with NO recognised out and out senior strikers on the books. Obviously the benefit for El Pel and the Huse is that they can start with a blank canvas, but who will be the ones to join up the dots?

While Gomez is still the top target, Hammers inability to offer European football for the coming season is the stumbling block and do the club really need another 'toxic' striker? With the answer being a resounding no surely West Ham United's other targets will represent better value, but more importantly both of the other strikers who have been lined up as alternatives actually may want to come to the club!

Neither Moussa Marega nor Soloman Rondon are as 'high end' signings as Maxi Gomez, but their desire to succeed in the 'best league in the world' is palpable whereas Gomez's doesn't seem to be the same, he would prefer to remain in Spain playing in the Champions League, probably for Valencia at the end of the day. Hammers could purchase Rondon and Marega combined for the money it would cost to bring in Gomez, especially if Celta Vigo manage to hold out for the player's £43 Million release clause.

Funding the wages for both players shouldn't be an issue, as Carroll and Arnautovic were on a combined total in excess of £200,000 per week, an additional £140,000 per week will also be available once Javier Hernandez has been sold, the sooner the better according to most fans.

West Ham fans have the prospect of watching a team of 'happy' players instead of the snarling variety they have grown used to in recent years, do the club really need toxic players? The answer is No, the future is bright, the future is 'happy'. - Ed