The West Ham United boss reportedly bid for Anthony Modeste last week.
West Ham United have been frustrated in their attempts to sign a striker this summer, but Slaven Bilic can’t afford to get desperate just yet.
But if reports from last week are true, then the Croat might be at that point already.
According to The Telegraph, West Ham saw a £22 million bid for Cologne hitman Anthony Modeste turned down.
The 29-year-old is a fine striker in Germany, and his 27 goals last season prove as much but, well, he is 29 and there’s a big question mark over his capacity to score in the Premier League after failing to find the net in nine matches during a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers in 2012.
And yet, Bilic was reportedly prepared to break the Hammers’ transfer record to bring him to East London this summer. Panic buys are meant for the last week in August, not the first week in July.
It is a time for cool heads and Bilic can’t lose his by panicking over targets. He has been linked to everybody from Olivier Giroud, to Javier Hernandez, and now Burnley’s Andre Gray, with the first two being much better options than Modeste, given their experience in England.
It isn’t up for debate that West Ham need a striker, with Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho hardly being stellar striking options, but the transfer window has only officially been open for a little more than two days.
The supporters are desperate to see a big-name forward join the club, and Bilic will be aware of the frustration bubbling from within the fanbase, but good things come to those who wait and the former Besiktas coach shouldn’t rush.
West Ham’s season could hinge on him getting this decision right.
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