West Ham United are desperately searching for strikers again this summer but have they let a perfectly good one slip from their grasp?
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers are turning their attentions to the summer transfer window after a difficult second season under Slaven Bilic.
An 11th placed finish has seen the popular Croatian credited with doing a good job in tough circumstances with the fallout from the Olympic Stadium move, injuries, the Dimitri Payet saga, speculation over his job and poor recruitment making life difficult.
Bilic has already been heavily linked with a host of moves for strikers including Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Kelechi Iheanacho after admitting he is no longer able to rely on Andy Carroll or Diafra Sakho due to their persistent injury problems.
But have the club let a perfectly good one slip through their fingers?
Sean Maguire in his West Ham days
When West Ham signed diminutive Irishman Sean Maguire back in 2013 he was hailed the new Robbie Keane and even drew comparisons with the great Lionel Messi.
Maguire, 23, was born in Luton but grew up in Kilkenny, signed a two-and-a-half year contract with the Hammers after scoring a hatful of goals for Waterford and the Republic of Ireland youth sides.
At the time Waterford chairman John O’Sullivan told BBC Sport that a then 18-year-old Maguire would soon be starring in West Ham’s first team.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi
“I’m a great fan of Lionel Messi at Barcelona. When I look at Seanie, he really reminds me of him,” O’Sullivan told BBC Sport in 2013.
“Seanie has the same kind of balance, burst of speed and he’s powerful on the ball.
“He has a great shot from any range and he’s good in the air. He has everything going for him. He still has to build up a bit of muscle, but there’s no doubt West Ham will help him do that.
“If Seanie keeps progressing the way he is, it won’t be long before he’s getting first-team football at West Ham. There is no question whatsoever he will be a star one day for the Republic of Ireland.”
Sean Maguire in Ireland action
O’Sullivan’s West Ham prediction did not come true as he was twice loaned out and then released at the end of his contract, although perhaps that is no surprise given he was trying to force his way into a Sam Allardyce team.
After 34 goals in 47 games for Cork City, Maguire was snapped up by Preston North End at the weekend, ending his time back in his homeland with a sublime hat-trick witnessed by Ireland boss Martin O’Neill and his assistant Roy Keane.
And O’Neill is backing Maguire to make a success of his second chance in English football, as reported by Sky Sports.
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and assistant Roy Keane have been watching Maguire
“He’s coming back (to England) and I think he wants to have a real go at it now again, and that’s great news,” O’Neill said when revealing Maguire may well be invited to train with the national team.
West Ham were actually linked with a move to re-sign the striker while Celtic were credited with a keen interest, as reported by the Scottish Sun.
But he has now signed for Preston and will be on a mission to prove West Ham wrong.
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