West Ham United are reportedly thinking about a transfer for Clermont striker Mohamed Bayo, as supervisor David Moyes seeks a brand new centre-forward recruit.
What’s the phrase?
Chatting with GIVEMESPORT, switch insider Dean Jones has revealed that the 24-year-old is now their “greatest hope” of signing a striker this summer season, with the Hammers nonetheless but to switch club-record flop Sebastian Haller – who departed for Ajax again in January 2021.
Ought to West Ham signal Mohamed Bayo?
Amid reports that the east Londoners are eager on the Guinea worldwide, Jones has shared his verdict on the present scenario: “It is likely to be extra wise as a result of they are going to get higher worth.
“In the intervening time it’s sounding like Bayo is their greatest hope, it’s anticipated they’re going to be doing a variety of buying in France this summer season, they really feel that’s the market to be tapping into, in order that’s the bracket they’re .”
There had been stories again in September that the London Stadium outfit have been thinking about making a £10m transfer for the 6 foot 2 marksman, though no deal got here to fruition regardless of additional links within the winter window.
Subsequent Diafra Sakho?
With Michail Antonio presently the only senior recognised centre-forward in Moyes’ squad, the expectation had been that the membership would prioritise a brand new quantity 9 this summer season, with a high-profile addition prone to be what supporters are craving.
A transfer for Bayo, nonetheless, could not fairly be the answer that the West Ham devoted are hoping for, with the French-born gem one thing of an unknown amount, having solely spent one season in a prime division in his profession to date.
That solitary season in Ligue 1 got here in the latest marketing campaign and whereas he did handle to bag a formidable 14 league objectives – having hit 22 league objectives within the second division the 12 months prior – there’ll little question be issues about his lack of top-level expertise.
Having beforehand been believed to be eyeing a deal for Liverpool-bound Darwin Nunez again in January, turning to a relative funds possibility in Bayo would seem one thing of a step all the way down to some, with it laborious to see how the £10.8m-rated hotshot will be the person to assist the Irons kick on once more subsequent time period.
Such a deal would additionally evoke recollections of the membership’s £3.5m signing of Diafra Sakho again in 2014, with the striker additionally buying and selling France for England after becoming a member of from Ligue 2 aspect Metz in 2014, having never featured in a prime division previous to his transfer to Upton Park.
That lack of expertise mattered little initially because the Senegal worldwide made a flying begin to life with the Hammers, changing into solely the second participant to web in his first six Premier League video games.
Unsurprisingly, he couldn’t preserve that rampant begin as he scored simply four extra league objectives in that debut marketing campaign, ultimately occurring to web simply 24 objectives in whole throughout all competitions over the following three-and-a-half years, earlier than departing for Rennes in 2018.
Whereas removed from the worst centre-forward addition of the GSB period – with Sakho’s impression having been higher than most – his lack of ability to maintain that early type showcased simply how demanding life within the Premier League will be, along with his lack of top-flight data little question hampering his progress.
Though Bayo has been described as an actual “handful” by journalist Andy Brassell, it’s laborious to see him with the ability to make the form of impression that’s wanted for Moyes’ males, with the Sakho scenario proving that switch gambles don’t at all times repay.
In fact, the Clermont man could spring a shock if he does be part of the Hammers this summer season, though for many supporters there will probably be a nagging feeling that he isn’t of the usual required.
IN different information, “An opportunity…”: Ex drops thrilling West Ham switch declare, supporters will probably be buzzing