Strikers are showing reluctance to join West Ham United in the January transfer window over fears of being the second-choice behind Michail Antonio, according to the Daily Mail.
Irons boss David Moyes is keen to sign a centre-forward, having yet filled the void Sebastien Haller left in January.
The Ivory Coast international left the London Stadium last winter for £20m after struggling to adapt to the Premier League.
Haller only scored 14 goals in 54 games following a club-record £45m transfer to West Ham in 2019. But has found the net 27 times in 40 matches in all competitions since joining Ajax.
West Ham spoke to seven striker targets in the summer transfer window, as Moyes sought to replace Haller. But forwards are reluctant to move to east London to understudy Antonio.
Moyes is very hesitant to move away from Antonio being West Ham’s number one striker, with the £7m star in incredible form.
The 31-year-old has made himself undroppable with seven goals and four assists in 13 games so far this term. Including six goals and three assists in 10 Premier League outings.
Antonio also scored 10 and assisted five goals in 26 top-flight appearances during an injury-ravished 2020/21 for the £70k-a-week frontman.
He has only missed one minute of regular time in the Premier League so far this term, other than when suspended against Manchester United for two yellow cards at Southampton.
West Ham face tough January seeking striker transfer with Antonio shining
West Ham, then, could face a tough January transfer window as Moyes targets strikers to support Antonio, because of Antonio.
The Irons are seemingly struggling to bring in the sort of quality Moyes believes would help take the club to a higher level, over fears Antonio’s form will keep them out of the side.
Reports have linked West Ham with forwards ahead of January, but Moyes may have to convince them to accept transfers.
With possible targets like Club Brugge star Charles De Ketelaere or Hellas Verona hitman Giovanni Simeone loath to give up regular minutes for a seat on the London Stadium bench.
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