West Ham increasingly unlikely to sign new striker – here’s what Potter wants instead
West Ham’s attacking problems have dominated their recent Premier League campaign.
The Hammers appear incapable of signing a striker who can find form at the London Stadium, with Niclas Fullkrug becoming the latest attacker to flop.
With West Ham only netting 46 goals in the top-flight last season, it was assumed that reinforcing the front line would be a priority.
However, it now appears that Graham Potter is less enthusiastic about signing a striker this summer transfer window.
A new goalkeeper is a priority for West Ham
After the appalling end to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, West Ham need improvements in multiple areas of the pitch.
On top of this, since the end of the previous season, multiple stars have left the London club.
Lukasz Fabianski is perhaps the biggest name to leave West Ham, with Potter now short on options in the net.
- West Ham were the sixth lowest scorers in the Premier League last season
- Danny Ings and Evan Ferguson has since left the Hammers
- Potter remains unfazed as he priorities other positions over a new striker
Therefore, according to the Daily Mail (30 July), a new goalkeeper is a priority for the Hammers.
Alphonse Areola’s inconsistent form is also a big fact in this decision, with plenty of keepers linked to the London Stadium.
New central midfielders are also high on the shopping list, while Potter would also like another winger.
As a result, the need for a striker has felt less important as the summer transfer window progressed.
Can Niclas Fullkrug solve Potter’s striker problems?
If a striker does not come in this summer, it is extremely likely that Fullkrug will remain in the starting XI.
The German did not have the best debut season in the Premier League netting just three times.
However, Fullkrug struggled heavily with injuries, which no doubt prevented him from hitting a consistent run of form.
Despite this, according to Fbref (30 July), the striker still managed to produce many decent stats last season relating to his creative play and aerial duels.
| Niclas Fullkrug in the 2024/25 campaign | Stats per 90 minutes |
| Assists | 0.23 |
| Expected assists | 0.22 |
| Shot-creating actions | 2.51 |
| Passes attempted | 22.56 |
| Clearances | 1.82 |
| Aerial duels won | 4.44 |
If the 32-year-old can remain fit across a campaign, he may be able to pick up numerous assists.
If goals can then be added to this, Fullkrug may prove to be a useful striker for Potter in the 2025/16 season.
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