West Ham United are linked to Callum Wilson this month.
Paul Merson has advised West Ham United against signing Callum Wilson.
BBC Sport reported today that West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini has left Marko Arnautovic out of the squad for today’s clash with Bournemouth.
The Austria international has been the subject of a £35 million bid by a Chinese club and his future in East London looks very uncertain.
Naturally there is speculation about who the Hammers could sign to replace the former Stoke striker and Wilson’s names keeps coming up.
But the Cherries reportedly want some £75 million for his signature [The Sun], and Merson feels that the 26-year-old, who has 28 goals in 81 Premier League appearances, isn’t prolific enough to command a huge transfer fee.
Merson told The Star: “Who could they replace him with? Callum Wilson is a good player who has international class movement.
“But for the price Bournemouth want, you’d expect 20 goals a season. I don’t think he gives you that.”
Merson is bang on the money. That is far too much for a striker with a relatively modest return in the Premier League and Bournemouth must know that they won’t get it.
West Ham are much better off focusing on the likes of Olivier Giroud and Mario Balotelli, affordable strikers who probably wouldn’t score any less than Wilson.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
