West Ham United transfer news Hammers ‘seriously’ explore January move for Odsonne Edouard
West Ham United are exploring the possibility of a January transfer for Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard, according to FootballTransfers.com.
The outlet reported on its website on Friday (1 December) that the Hammers are considering entering the market for a new striker this January with the French forward one possibility that is being “seriously explored” by the Irons.
It remains unknown whether a move for the 25-year-old would be on a permanent or loan basis, with no indication yet of just how much David Moyes’ side are looking to spend to add to their forward line when the transfer window opens.
While Michail Antonio is expected to return from injury before Christmas, the striker’s poor form has left West Ham keen to sign a new striker regardless of the Jamaican international’s fitness.
Edouard has joined a shortlist of potential targets at the London Stadium that already has PSG forward Hugo Ekitike and Bayern Munich striker Joshua Zirkzee.
New number nine
It was obvious over the course of the summer transfer window that West Ham were short of forward options having sold Gianluca Scamacca, but for whatever reason the Irons were unable to sign a new number nine to bolster their ranks.
Antonio’s bright form at the start of the campaign partnered with Jarrod Bowen’s excellent start to the season in front of goal ensured that Moyes was able to forget about his striker problem for the first few months of the campaign.
But now that both players are sidelined with injury, it has become overwhelmingly obvious just how short of firepower the Irons are and a new striker has become a must this January. But it remains to be seen whether Edouard is capable of being that man.
The Frenchman has five goals in 12 Premier League appearances this season but has never scored more than six in a season since he arrived at Selhurst Park. There is very little guarantee that the 25-year-old would be the man to finally find the net consistently for the Irons.
Edouard has a similar profile to Antonio as a physically imposing centre-forward so he may be able to fill the Jamaican international’s boots better than Danny Ings had this season. But it feels unlikely that he would find the net any more often than the Englishman this season.
In other West Ham news, comments made by Konstantinos Mavropanos may have increased the pressure on Moyes