West Ham United and Crystal Palace are both expected to be busy during this summer’s transfer window.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic will be desperate to improve his forward options this summer, as he looks to guide this side back into contention for a Europa League spot next term.
With this in mind, the Croatian should consider revisiting his interest in Eagles striker Christian Benteke, who really began to show his true class during the second half of Palace’s campaign last season.
He scored 17 goals in 40 appearances for the south London outfit, with six of those coming in the Eagles’ last 10 games.
And West Ham should make a strong push for the Belgian, especially whilst they remain without a manager, and Bilic should consider offering Andy Carroll as part of the deal.
Standing at 6ft 3in, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker is powerful in the air, and would offer a similar aerial threat to that of Carroll.
He is far quicker along the ground, however, and poses the more direct threat of running in behind opposition defenders, which makes him a nightmare to mark, and if his attitude is on point, he has the capability to become one of the league’s best strikers.
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke
As useful as Benteke would be for the Hammers, Carroll would be equally as effective for Palace.
The Eagles are renowned for their direct approach, what with so many powerfully built players in their side. They also have Yohan Cabaye’s set-piece expertise, so the Hammers forward would fit right into their style of play.
The former Newcastle and Liverpool striker’s value would surely be inferior to the Belgian’s, however, due to the fact that he is two years older, and has a less-than-impressive injury record.
With the Hammers expected to spend big this summer though, they would surely be able to offer Palace a financial package, along with Carroll, that would tempt them into selling.
And if Bilic does in fact bring Benteke to the London Stadium, whilst sending Carroll in the opposite direction, it could turn out to be a transfer of real significance for both West Ham and Crystal Palace.
West Ham United’s Andy Carroll
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