West Ham United must not repeat Gianluca Scamacca mistake with Michail Antonio transfer
With the January transfer window around the corner, Premier League clubs will already be preparing their recruitment plans to strengthen and West Ham United will be no different.
The one area that the Hammers will definitely be looking to add to in the new year will be upfront as currently David Moyes is very short of attacking options, but it seems as though the Hammers may well lose one or two players before they sign anybody new.
According to reports, both Maxwel Cornet and Michail Antonio could be sold in January to raise funds for a new striker purchase, with the Jamaican international viewed as a “cash-raising” player who could be included in a player plus cash deal [Claret & Hugh, 9 December].
Antonio is currently viewed as the second favourite to Jarrod Bowen, with Moyes preferring to utilise the England international out of position, rather than restore Antonio to the starting XI now that he has recovered from an injury sustained in the international break.
Most supporters would be willing to sell Antonio if it means that the Whites are able to sign a new striker this January, but the Hammers cannot afford to repeat the mistake they made with Gianluca Scamacca during the summer window.
West Ham sold the Italian after only a season at the London Stadium, with the intention of using the money raised by his sale to recruit a new, more reliable centre-forward. However, no such addition was made and Moyes was left with only Antonio and Danny Ings as his striking options.
The Irons have managed to navigate the early stages of the campaign with that striking pair, but neither forward has been particularly prolific in front of goal, scoring a combined two Premier League goals between them.
Scamacca was never a reliable source of goals for the Hammers, but he at least offered a different option at the top end of the pitch. If West Ham lose Antonio as well, they must ensure they sign a new number nine as a strike pairing of Bowen and Ings is not strong enough to succeed in the Premier League.
Hopefully, Moyes and West Ham will have learned from their mistakes this summer and not repeat them in January. Using Antonio in a swap deal could be the best move for all parties and would ensure the Hammers aren’t left short up top.
In other West Ham United news, David Ornstein has shared what he thinks will happen to Moyes at the end of the season