West Ham United have been heavily linked with Brentford forward Scott Hogan.
With transfer deadline day upon us, it does not matter how close to completion a deal reportedly is, it is only when a move is confirmed that supporters can accept that their club has got its man. Similarly, it is only after he has move elsewhere that a club can accept that they have missed out.
Report: Rangers to miss out on West Ham’s Reece Oxford as Nottingham Forest win race
Unsurprisingly therefore, West Ham fans are beginning to question whether Brentford striker Scott Hogan is really going to end the window as a Hammers player despite being linked with the club throughout the month, and The Sun reporting that just one clause worth £1 million is holding up the £13.5 million move, especially now that Sky Sports’ live transfer feed (31st January 2017; 05:54) is now reporting that they are out of the race.
But would West Ham fans be that disappointed to miss out on the Bees forward?
Brentford’s Scott Hogan
Users of fan forums Knees Up Mother Brown and Hammers Chat have mostly given the move their blessing, but some have raised an interesting point regarding whether it is the smartest decision going after Hogan this month.
His goalscoring record in the Championship is unquestionably impressive – he has scored 14 times in 25 league games this term – and if he would continue to develop after making a move to West Ham, then he could be an excellent addition to Slaven Bilic’s squad for years to come.
But it is arguably understandable as to why some Irons supporters have some doubts, especially as it seems that an eight-figure fee will be required to seal the deal.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
Hogan has never played in the Premier League and has only played 32 games in the second tier, so he could still be classed as unproven despite his record.
And as it would take a significant fee to land Hogan, the club’s hierarchy may be slightly hesitant about signing a striker for a similar amount in the summer regardless of whether the move works out or not, which, if he does well, would not be a problem, but could prove an issue if he fails to live up to expectation.
Here’s what West Ham fans were talking about on Monday morning
For that reason, it is arguably understandable if some supporters would not overly concerned if the club had to wait until the summer to sign a striker when they have a greater amount of time to consider their options and the potential new man – who could still be Hogan – would have more time to get used to his new surroundings.
Of course the board must remember that not signing him today would be a big gamble as other teams may be ready to hand the Brentford man the chance to show exactly what he can do.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
