Eibar frontman Sergi Enrich could cost West Ham United £5m this summer – but does his form in La Liga justify a move to the Premier League?
West Ham United owners David Sullivan and David Gold
While West Ham’s recruitment policy has been subject to intense criticism throughout an underwhelming campaign, there’s one position in particular where the club have failed to find adequate reinforcements.
The Guardian reports that The Hammers have signed 32 different strikers since Davids Gold and Sullivan took over in 2010. And, from the anonymous Brian Montenegro and Marouanne Chamakh to expensive disappointments Modibo Maiga and Enner Valencia, they have averaged a goal every six games between them.
Therefore, the fact that the latest forward linked with a move to the London Stadium has scored just one goal in his last 13 games will surely have Hammers’ fans experiencing some rather vivid déjà vu.
The Sunday People report that West Ham are willing to pay £5 million to lure Spanish hitman Sergi Enrich from plucky La Liga overachievers Eibar with French giants Marseille also keen.
The fact that Borja Baston, who partnered Enrich up front at the Basque club last season, has scored just once in the Premier League since becoming Swansea City’s £15 million record signing will also set off a few more alarm bells (BBC).
Could Sergi enrich West Ham?
However, it would be a little unfair to judge Enrich on the basis of his most recent stats – or his former team-mates struggles.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed a fine season in general with 11 goals in 37 La Liga games. And, although he tends to follow impressive purple patches with the odd barren run, his impressive hold-up play, natural physicality and poacher’s instinct appears to make him a good fit for English football.
Enrich, after all, shares undoubted similarities with an old-school, British centre-forward.
Though the former Mallorca hitman, who Fulham bid £3.5 million pounds for in the summer (Sky Sports) would arrive at West Ham under immense scrutiny.
After all, every striker the club signs from now on has a point to prove.
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