West Ham eye Stuttgart striker Sasa Kaladjzic – report
West Ham have turned their attention to Stuttgart striker Sasa Kaladjzic as they continue to seek a replacement for Sebastian Haller, according to the Daily Mail.
Kaladjzic, 23, has 11 goals and four assists in 22 Bundesliga appearances this season. He’s a 6ft 6ins tall Austrian international striker, said to be available for around £15million.
David Moyes opted against bringing in a replacement for January departure Haller. He decided to wait until the summer and take his time over a transfer, rather than rush a signing in at the end of the window.
The Mail now reports West Ham have now joined Roma and RB Leipzig in the race for the forward. At the minute he’s in fantastic form, scoring seven goals in his last six games as Stuttgart sit ninth, defeated once in their last five.
A big threat
Kaladjzic certainly fits the style of play Moyes has us performing under. The Austrian is good with both feet and plays good one and two touch passes to link up with advancing midfielders.
It’s the sort of quick play we see a lot between Benrahma, Bowen and Lingard and means for quick counter-attacking play. He’s also a strong runner in possession, deceptively mobile despite his height. The striker is able to get in behind well and is a good one on one finisher.
Being 6ft 6ins, his biggest threat is undoubtedly in the air. This season the Hammers have the best return of goals from set-plays. We’ve scored 12 goals from corners and freekicks, the best in the top-flight.
Soucek, Dawson, Ogbonna and Diop are all able to tower above their opposition and have done on many occasions. The set-piece expertise of Cresswell could mean for a lot of headed opportunities for Kaladjzic.
It’s no secret that the Hammers are in the market for a striker. Abraham, Toney and Armstrong have all been linked so far. Kaladjzic offers something a bit different to all of the others. He hasn’t been as prolific this season, but has still managed to score seven goals in 13 starts, and five after coming off the bench 11 times.
We’ll be keeping a closer eye on him between now and the end of the season in the Bundesliga.
In other West Ham news, can we actually defy the odds and qualify for Europe?