Report: West Ham eye Montpellier striker Gaetan Laborde – 12 goal contributions in 20/21
According to French outlet Le10Sport, West Ham are actively pursuing Montpellier striker Gaetan Laborde.
The report suggests an ultimatum has now been set by Montpellier.
If the Irons fail to make an offer for Laborde by Friday then he will remain at the club, with West Ham reportedly still keeping an eye on Boulaye Dia.
West Ham have supposedly been watching Laborde over the last few months and he became a priority this winter.
Bad timing
As ever West Ham’s search for a striker has taken a few twists and turns.
Time is running out to progress this deal and with the window closing on Monday it seems we may have to wait to sign a Sebastien Haller replacement.
Given the fact we’re fourth in the table that would be a little disappointing, but it is perhaps better than signing Laborde.
The Frenchman is too much of a risk and would not provide strong enough competition for Michail Antonio.
A return of 12 goal contributions in Ligue 1 is respectable but it is worth remembering that Haller scored 15 and assisted nine for Frankfurt in the season prior to his arrival.
We all know how that one worked out.
The same worries surround Laborde because of the level he is playing at, and there are questions over whether he could adjust to the Premier League quickly enough.
It would certainly take him a while to get used to new surroundings and a different style of play, so he may be better suited to a summer move.
These are the problems inherent in the January window.
The 26-year-old is certainly one to keep an eye on, but with things going well on the pitch Moyes seems prepared to wait when it comes to signing a forward.
In other West Ham news, here are three things we learned about the team in the win v Crystal Palace.