Sports
West Ham tipped to meet asking price for 93-goal striker likened to Julian Alvarez
West Ham have been tipped to match one club’s asking price to sign a striker who’s been compared to former Man City star Julian Alvarez.
West Ham battle to Man United draw as Nuno makes January plans
West Ham battled back to claim a precious point at Old Trafford on Thursday night, with Soungoutou Magassa’s late strike cancelling out Diogo Dalot’s opener in a 1-1 draw.
Their stalemate away to Man United keeps the Hammers’ survival hopes well and truly alive heading into the festive period, as the east Londoners battle to make up ground on Leeds United and Nottingham Forest above them.
Nuno Espírito Santo‘s side spent much of the evening defending resolutely, absorbing sustained United pressure before Dalot found the breakthrough in the 58th minute.
The Portuguese wing-back reacted quickest after Casemiro’s deflected effort fell invitingly inside the penalty area, composing himself before drilling his finish beyond Alphonse Areola.
The lead appeared safe until seven minutes from time, when substitute Andy Irving’s corner caused chaos in the United box. Jarrod Bowen flicked the delivery goalwards at the near post, Noussair Mazraoui cleared desperately off the line, but Magassa pounced to fire home his first West Ham goal from close range.
Ex-West Ham chief shares the “big” changes Nuno “wants to make” to his squad
Nuno wants to transform them.
The finish sparked jubilation among the travelling supporters and left United fans booing at the final whistle.
|
West Ham’s results in the Premier League so far |
|---|
|
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham |
|
West Ham 1-5 Chelsea |
|
Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham |
|
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham |
|
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace |
|
Everton 1-1 West Ham |
|
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham |
|
West Ham 0-2 Brentford |
|
Leeds 2-1 West Ham |
|
West Ham 3-1 Newcastle |
|
West Ham 3-2 Burnley |
|
Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham |
|
West Ham 0-2 Liverpool |
|
Man United 1-1 West Ham |
Yet, West Ham’s attacking struggles remain glaring.
With 36-year-old Callum Wilson their only reliable striking option right now following Niclas Fullkrug’s disastrous spell in east London, January reinforcements have become essential.
The German wants out after an 18-month West Ham career marred by injuries and a lack of goals, scoring zero this season, with Nuno poised to be left desperately thin in the final third if they don’t sign another number nine next month.
Reports suggest West Ham are leading the race for Union Saint-Gilloise’s towering striker Promise David, but he is by no means their only target.
West Ham tipped to meet Santiago Gimenez asking price
AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Irons ahead of January, with Milan reportedly open to selling following his underwhelming spell at the San Siro overall.
The Mexico international fired ex-club Feyenoord to an Eredivisie title in 2023 and built upon that by scoring 26 goals in all competitions the following campaign.
This excellent form in the Netherlands culminated in a £28 million move to Milan last January, but Gimenez has failed to live up to expectations, despite former teammate Kyle Walker likening him to Alvarez, who is thriving for Atlético Madrid right now.
Walker also said that Gimenez is capable of producing ‘magic’ whilst being a hard-worker for the team.
“He’s very similar to Julian Alvarez in how he plays,” Walker told Fox Sports in October. “He’s not a direct striker, but he has the technicality to produce magic. He’s a willing runner and happy to put his body on the line for the team.
“A lot of strikers don’t touch the ball past scoring, but it’s a team game. He fits a lot of team performances with his work ethic.”
According to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero and reporter Salvatore Riggio, West Ham could bid £26 million for Gimenez in January, which would in fact match the Rossoneri’s asking price.
The 24-year-old, who has scored 93 career goals to date, is apparently ‘destined’ for England with Sunderland also very interested.
The outlet adds that Gimenez simply hasn’t settled in Milan, so perhaps a move to London could reignite his best.
