West Ham United’s striker search has now entered a stage that can only be described as desperate.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is still desperately trying to bolster his attacking options at the London Stadium, as this summer’s transfer window begins to feel eerily similar to last year’s for Hammers fans.
With moves for many of the Croatian’s key striker targets having already ended in failure, he will have to cast his net even wider, if he is to bring a top quality marksman to West Ham.
One potential option could be Lazio’s Keita Balde, who has been like with a £17 million switch to Chelsea, according to Italian media outlet La Repubblica.
Keita Balde in action for Lazio
The 22-year-old might just be tempted into a move to east London over the Premier League champions, however, for two reasons – Diafra Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate.
The Hammers stars are both Senegal natives, the same nationality as Balde, and the pair would surely make the transition from Italy to England a more comfortable one for the Lazio man.
The international is of the very highest quality, that goes without question. He can play anywhere along the front-line, and would add a level of potency to West Ham’s goal-shy attack.
Balde is two-footed, which makes him a nightmare to defend against. This would bring an air of unpredictability to the east London outfit’s play in the final third, and would go a long way to improve upon their productivity in front of goal this season.
With just one year remaining on his current deal with Lazio, and Chelsea reportedly lining up a £17 million bid, the Hammers will have to act fast to get their man, and maybe Kouyate and Sakho could ‘play agent’ and help get a deal for Balde over the line for West Ham.
And if Bilic manages to bring him to the London Stadium, what an excellent signing it could turn out to be.
Lazio’s Keita Balde
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