West Ham potentially left striker bids late to avoid being gazumped – Darren Lewis
West Ham potentially left their striker bids until late in the window as they feared getting gazumped by other clubs, according to Darren Lewis of The Mirror.
The Hammers failed with deadline day bids for Darwin Nunez and Duvan Zapata [ExWHU Employee] to strengthen their striker options, having been linked with a move all month for a striker to strengthen the squad.
But in the end, West Ham failed to sign anyone during January and will continue in their pursuit for a top four finish with the same squad they started the season with.
According to The Mirror’s Darren Lewis, the reason they made late moves in the window was potentially through fear of being “gazumped” by other clubs, he said in a tweet.
This backfired though as they ultimately fell short of the selling club’s valuations and failed to get anyone over the line.
Flop
The only word that sums up the January transfer window for 2022 at the London Stadium is ‘shambles’.
The Hammers didn’t see any first-team players leave the club, but they also failed to strengthen despite public claims from Moyes that additions were needed.
Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen now have the full weight of expectation on their shoulder in the attack, and if the goals dry up as they already have done in some cases then it will be an upward struggle to the top four.
Also in defence, the club will push on with just three senior centre-backs for the remainder of the season after failing to add anyone to replace the injured Angelo Ogbonna.
It’s a huge gamble for West Ham with such a big prize at the end of the season up for grabs, and it’s one that’s likely to see them fall just short once again as the load of the season takes it’s toll later in the year.
In other West Ham news, West Ham bid to sign ‘excellent’ Premier League star ‘more likely’ for summer – report