David Moyes issues West Ham transfer admission following Maxwel Cornet’s injury setback
David Moyes admits West Ham may have to dip into the transfer market this month for attacking reinforcements depending on the severity of Maxwel Cornet’s injury setback.
The Ivory Coast international, signed from Burnley last summer, has unfortunately been ravaged by injuries since his move to East London, only managing to make just seven appearances this season.
He’s missed three months of action since suffering a calf injury on his Hammers debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers in October. Despite recently returning to training, the forward has since suffered a flare-up in his recovery leading to trips to France to see a specialist.
Speaking to Football.London [10 January], Moyes said he could not give an update on Cornet’s condition. He said: “I’d like to give you a clearer update but I don’t think I can.
“I’ve not asked how his injection went and they’ve not come and told me. I’ll need to check. He’s been to Paris to get an injection to try to free up the fibres and the tendons.”
Asked if a longer lay-off for the former Burnley star could mean activity in the transfer market, the former Everton manager expressed that Cornet is a big loss, and it could force him to seek reinforcements this month.
“We brought him in to get more goals because he can play off the left, off the right, centre-forward at times,” added Moyes. “We brought him in as another attacking player so yeah it could be something we look into but the market’s not easy. It’s something we could consider.”
No time to waste
Considering the club’s current plight in the Premier League table, languishing outside the relegation zone on goal difference, the Hammers may desperately need to add some firepower to a floundering attack.
Moyes’ men have just 15 goals to their name so far, and of course, the signing of Cornet was supposed to boost their attacking quota when they recruited him this summer.
With Jarrod Bowen struggling to match the heights of last season, as well as the inconsistencies of Pablo Fornals and Sai Benrahma, Cornet’s injury setback certainly hasn’t aided Moyes’ plans to fire his side back up the table.
As a result, the Hammers may need to look for reinforcements this month, and they simply can’t afford to waste any time too, with the rest of the campaign hinging on these next couple of weeks.
Indeed, the January window is a difficult month to recruit quality players, so there are no guarantees Moyes will be able to make the signings he needs, which comes as bad news for the Hammers faithful.
The club will certainly be itching for Cornet to return to full fitness fairly quickly. Whatever success they’re aiming for this season, could well hinge on his sudden return.