West Ham must sanction Roberto Firmino move after significant transfer update
West Ham must attempt to sign Liverpool star Roberto Firmino in the summer to bolster their ailing attack.
On 16 February, The Mirror reported Firmino is edging closer to leaving Liverpool when his contract expires in the summer with no sign of a new agreement on the horizon.
It is also claimed Atletico Madrid have moved into pole position to sign the Brazil striker.
The Hammers were linked with a move for Frimino in January by TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, as quoted by Hammers News as saying on the radio station on 7 January, “I could see Firmino leaving, certainly in the summer, if not this month. I think there will be clubs looking at Firmino maybe West Ham, who need firepower.”
West Ham’s striking issues have been well-documented this season with Michail Antonio only scoring once in the Premier League and summer signing Gianluca Scamacca only notching three times in the top flight.
The Irons have only scored 19 goals in the Premier League this term, with only Southampton, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves bagging fewer in the top flight.
Firmino meanwhile has been in sparking form for Liverpool this term.
He has scored nine goals and provided four assists in 22 total appearances this season. Those goals would make him the Hammers’ top scorer this season, two clear of Jarrod Bowen.
The Brazilian guarantees goals and the same simply cannot be said for Scamacca and Antonio. Scamacca is still something of an unknown quantity whereas everyone knows what Frimino is about.
Even if you don’t play him as an out-and-out number nine, Firmino could easily slip into a number ten position and his tricks and flicks could easily unlock Scamacca’s true potential.
The only downside with Firmino is his injury record. He has only just returned from a knock that has kept him sidelined for nine games in all competitions.
Unreliability is a big cross next to the names of both Scamacca and Antonio and signing another striker who may not be available for large chunks of the season is not ideal.
But West Ham are not in a position to pick and choose. Firmino guarantees goals and won’t cost a penny in transfer fees if he doesn’t sign a new deal.
It makes sense from a footballing and financial point of view. Get it done.