LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: The West Ham club badge on a corner flag ahead of the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on September 12, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
In their pursuit of signing Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart during the summer transfer window, West Ham United may have discovered a substitute for Michail Antonio.
The Evening Standard (May 21) said that the Hammers were interested in signing the Guinean because Tim Steidten has long been a fan of the striker.
With Julen Lopetegui as head coach and Guirassy a possible first signing, the West Ham technical director wants more control over transactions.
According to reports, Guirassy’s current deal includes a £15 million release clause, which will make him appealing to a lot of teams this summer. Stuttgart has accepted that they will not be getting their best striker back this summer.
Should West Ham replace Michail Antonio with Serhou Guirassy?
After joining the Hammers from Nottingham Forest in 2015, Antonio has made over 300 appearances and has established himself as a mainstay.
Under David Moyes, he has been the primary designated number nine for the entire season. In 21 starts and six appearances as a substitute, he has assisted on two goals and scored six [FotMob].
Although Jarrod Bowen has scored enough goals to cover the Jamaican’s lack of output, a star striker signing this summer could be ideal.
That dude could be Guirassy. This season, he led Stuttgart to Champions League qualification with 28 goals and two assists [FotMob].
He is a tall and physical presence who poses a nightmare for opposition defenders as he consistently wins aerial duels.
Even though he has exceptional aerial skills, he also has good ball-handling and playing through ball skills when the ball is at his feet.
If Lopetegui and company play to his skills as a six-foot-one striker, he would be a steal at £15 million.
Although Antonio has been a tremendous asset to the team, it might be best to gradually phase him out over time given his advanced age of 34.
