David Moyes future could rely on imminent West Ham United decision
West Ham are reportedly looking to sign a new striker in January in a transfer decision that could go a long way to determining the future of manager David Moyes.
According to a report by TEAMtalk on Monday (23 October), four players are being monitored by the Irons ahead of the window reopening.
Stuttgart star Serhou Guirassy remains a target for United after scoring 14 goals in eight Bundesliga games, but his stock is rising by the week.
Adam Hlozek and Vangelis Pavlidis of Bayer Leverkusen and AZ Alkmaar instead look like more attainable targets midway through the campaign.
RB Salzburg ace Karim Konate is more of a left-field choice, meanwhile, but looks an exciting prospect all the same.
Any of those names would be an upgrade on what West Ham currently have up top, which is effectively makeshift striker Michail Antonio and an unfancied Danny Ings.
The Jamaica international is a real fan favourite and leads the all-time Premier League scoring charts for the Hammers.
But two goals from 10 games in all competitions this season is simply not good enough, especially when he is offering little else in the final third.
As harsh as that sounds, West Ham are looking to take the next step, as highlighted by the signing of Mohammed Kudus in the summer.
Antonio is averaging 1.72 shot-creating actions per 90 mins in the league [FBref], which takes into account passes and dribbles leading to a shot.
To put that figure in some perspective, Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk (1.75) has a better figure this season.
That is not to say Antonio does not still have a part to play at London Stadium, but his role cannot be as a starter week in, week out.
Moyes is not exactly under growing pressure at the moment, but three defeats in five league games is hardly the best of returns.
In the view of many, the Scotsman would have been out of a job in the summer if not for the Europa Conference League triumph.
A sustained drop-off in form, and a persistence in going with Antonio up top, could therefore lead to questions being asked, meaning a decision on which striker comes in could keep him in a job.
West Ham’s current squad is bursting with quality, but an out-and-out striker is the one thing holding the club back right now.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have reportedly missed out on another of their targets for 2024.