West Ham signing expensive, injury-prone Sturridge from Liverpool too risky?

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West Ham are targeting Daniel Sturridge but is the Liverpool striker too much of a risk, even on loan?

David Moyes, manager of West Ham United, talks to fourth official Lee Mason before the Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth.

David Moyes has been forced to look at striker options in the January transfer window after injuries to West Ham United attacking duo Marko Arnautovic and Andy Carroll.

One of Moyes’ biggest successes since becoming Hammers manager in November is converting winger Arnautovic into a number nine, with the summer signing from Stoke City scoring six goals in his last eight Premier League outings.

Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United reacts during the Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth.

However, the Austria international now faces three weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring problem. For Carroll the prognosis is even worse, with three months out with a broken foot.

It means Moyes has cast his attention towards signing a forward and according to the Sun the Scot is considering Daniel Sturridge on loan from Liverpool.

Having fallen down the pecking order Sturridge wants to leave Anfield to get first team football and try and force his way into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino (R) shakes hands with Daniel Sturridge (L) as he is substituted during the UEFA Champions League Group E match against Spartak Moscow.

With 75 Premier League goals in 194 matches the 28-year-old is a proven marksman in the English top flight, but the irony of signing someone as injury cover who has missed 97 games since the start of the 2013/14 season due to fitness issues surely cannot be lost on Moyes?

Not only that, but while a loan deal appears to make it less of a gamble, the Reds’ demands means it could still be very expensive for West Ham if it does not work out. The Merseyside club want the East Londoners to pay a £5m loan fee with a further £25m in the summer to make it permanent, as well as covering the attacker’s £120,000-a-week wages in full.