West Ham United have been linked with two of West Bromwich Albion’s strikers this summer.
After a season which saw West Ham’s top goalscorer finish with 11 Premier League goals, it is little surprise that Manuel Pellegrini appears to be keen to strengthen his striker options ahead of his first season at the London Stadium.
Pellegrini’s appointment hinted that there would be a shift in focus and ambitious targets may be identified this summer. But with West Ham unlikely to be amongst the top spenders in the top flight during this window, it will shock few that the Irons also appear to have their eye on some shrewd additions with two of West Brom’s key men on their radar following the Baggies’ relegation.
According to the Daily Mirror last week, West Ham are interested in paying £16 million for Salomon Rondon after Darren Moore’s men going down triggered a clause in his contract. Meanwhile, Sky Sports is now reporting that the Hammers are in the congested race to sign Jay Rodriguez, who is likely to cost more than £20 million.
Neither man may be the marquee addition that West Ham fans will be hoping for this summer, but if Pellegrini is to prioritise one move over the other, then it could certainly be argued that signing Rodriguez has to be higher up on his wishlist.
Both men scored seven goals in the Premier League last season, but Rondon came in for plenty of criticism for missing a number of genuine chances during the campaign. Rodriguez achieved his tally while often being deployed in a slightly deeper and wider role.
Rondon scored a couple of important goals, but the former Southampton ace scored the winner at Old Trafford and bagged a brace in the dramatic FA Cup win over Liverpool at Anfield. He also showed that he had plenty of bottle by taking a last minute penalty to earn a point against Arsenal in December.
Rodriguez’s determination to succeed has been evident for much of his career, having fought his way into the England side in 2013 and then battled back from a terrible injury that ended any hope of the forward going to the 2014 World Cup and ruled him out until August 2015.
That is the kind of attitude that would suggest that he is likely to be a successful signing wherever he goes this summer, and that should tempt Pellegrini to make him one of his attacking additions this summer – ideally with a marquee goalscorer also following him through the London Stadium door.
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