Dom Ballard: West Ham transfer hunt raises vital summer question

Dom Ballard has been linked with a move to West Ham United ahead of their Championship campaign, with the rumour raising a big question.

Given the numbers he produced last season, albeit in League One, the interest is somewhat valid.

Ballard scored 23 times for Leyton Orient in 40 league appearances, while also managing four assists - 27 goal involvements in total.

Unsurprisingly, that made him the League One top scorer, despite the fact that he was playing for a side who finished just one place above relegation.

West Ham's interest is certainly based around his ability to find the net whenever a chance comes his way.

However, it also poses a rather significant question that must be answered.

What is West Ham's transfer strategy?

Had it been any mid table Championship club, a move for Ballard would be seen as risk free.

There would be little expectation for him to hit the ground running, nor would it be a disaster if he failed to do so.

But at West Ham, that will be different next season, with the Hammers simply in need of achieving an immediate return to the Premier League

Signing lower league players would be a huge risk, both for player and for the club, and having been on the fringes of Southampton's squad for several years, Ballard will be aware of that.

Are the Hammers prepared to take a risk that could damage their promotion chances? Only time will tell.

Would Ballard be the only striker arrival?

Much of that will depend on who leaves and who stays.

Taty Castellanos has been linked with an exit, while Pablo has been offered to clubs by his agent, Jorge Mendes, in an attempt to get him away from the Championship.

Should either of those deals happen, then West Ham will be forced into at least one more striker addition, though some will make the case that two will be needed this summer, regardless.

If so, a move for Ballard will make a lot more sense, but only if the second striker arrival is someone with a proven track record at this level and beyond.