If we had a pound for every time we have mentioned West Ham's need for a proper striker to give Mikey Antonio support and competition, we would already be a long way to being able to afford one of 'Arry's retirement Villas on the South Coast.
Perhaps Hammers fans are in denial when it comes to acquiring top players? The Haller and Anderson 'experience' having done little to enhance a feeling of bonhomie among fans AND club officials, so when news RE-EMERGED of Hammers 'interest' in Patrick Schick, it was greeted with a more than considerable scepticism.
The point is Schick is EXACTLY the type of player David Moyes wants and needs, he is a robust 25 year old at the top of his game who will only increase in value, so getting him in would be a major coup. Of course with transfers involving top players there are 'additional' elements that have to be dealt with, usually involving a greedy agent desperate to pay for his new electric Porsche, or pay off his divorce!
Bayer Leverkusen are not keen on selling the Czech International, but a fee of €45 Million would get the deal over the line. That equates to around £40 Million, £5 Million less than the club paid for Sebastien Haller and ONLY £4 Million more than Felipe Anderson.
Still £40 Million is an awful lot of money, but it is the market price for a top striker and HALF of what Chelsea paid for Romelu Lukakau. If Hammers are to make a serious push for Europe, then a player of Patrick Schick's quality is absolutely necessary, after all Daniel Kretinsky didn't come on board JUST to pay off debts, he will want to see a 'tangible' return for his investment and they don't get more tangible than Schick!
In the past, Hammers transfer activity has been more Shtick than slick, it is to be hoped that the Shtick can be replaced with some Schick! -LN
