West Ham United are desperate for strikers this summer but have not made much headway with their targets as yet.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers have made signing two top strikers a priority this summer after their failure to land a big name marquee forward last summer.
Slaven Bilic has been linked with moves for the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Kelechi Iheanacho, Michy Batshuayi, Onyekuru Henry and Olivier Giroud but it seems the club are no closer to adding to their solitary signing of Pablo Zabaleta so far this summer.
One of the biggest issues for West Ham in past seasons has been an over reliance on injury-prone striker Andy Carroll.
When fit Carroll is the first name on the teamsheet, but he tends to spend more time on the treatment table than the pitch.
While the big Geordie is likely to remain in East London, there are no guarantees he will stay fit for an extended period.
So should the club be more realistic and look at a cheaper and more viable option as back-up in the shape of Portugal’s Euro 2012 hero Eder.
Portugal’s Eder celebrates
According to L’Equipe, the 29 year old, who scored Portugal’s brilliant extra-time winner to lift the trophy in France last summer has been made available by Lille boss and former Hammers managerial target Marcelo Bielsa.
L’Equipe reports that the big striker – who bears striking similarities to Carroll – is available for as little as £3.5million after being deemed surplus to requirements at the Ligue 1 side.
A host of Turkish and English sides are said to have made enquiries and although Eder’s goal record is unremarkable, it is his hold-up play, strength, aerial prowess and the way that he brings others in to play that would make him ideal back-up for Carroll in East London.
Bilic cannot rely on Andy Carroll for a whole season
The former Swansea City striker would undoubtedly jump at the chance to join the Hammers and given Carroll’s injury record Bilic would have ample opportunity to give the Portuguese game time throughout the season.
In the meantime, here’s that Euro 2012-winning strike to enjoy again.
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