West Ham Linked With Ex-Premier League Striker
By Adam Smith
Its been only a few weeks into the new Premier League season and West Ham is already linked with a foreign player. The wantaway striker is an interesting target but may not fit the needs of the current West Ham squad.
Manuel Pellegrini has already declined the option of signing former Manchester City midfield ace in Yaya Toure at West Ham, but would he turn down the opportunity to link up with former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli?
Just this past week French source L’equipe have reported that West ham has checked in on the availability of Mario Balotelli from OG Nice. The impressive striker has more recently garnered interest from Marseille of France’s Ligue 1.
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Want or Need?
West Ham’s needs lie more directly in a defensive midfielder and/or center back, but August transfer rumors are cause for concern, regardless of their validity. The carrion birds are swarming already after the rotten start West Ham have gotten off to, as there are no positive news stories coming from the two performances West Ham have put out so far.
The fit of Balotelli is interesting and enticing; the bastardry of a striker dup that featured Arnautovic and Balotelli would be legendary, however it doesn’t seem likely. Balotelli had a terrific year last season, scoring 26 goals in 38 goals in all competitions, tacking on 2 assists in the process. The offense would be appreciated but there is no guarantee that success would translate back to the Premier League, or that his attitude would stay in check.
The timing of this rumor in interesting as Andy Carroll was just confirmed to be ahead of schedule in his injury rehab. Due back in November now, Carroll’s time in East London is surely up as his contract expires this summer, and supporters patience with him expiring long ago.
Next. Hammers missing midfield ingredient. dark
If Balotelli was a physical, dominant, European proven defensive midfielder it would be a no-brainer move for Pellegrini to move for him. Instead, he is a prolifically talented scoring striker who had chronic issues with a poor attitude. Therefore the juice isn’t really worth the squeeze for Pellegrini and company when it comes to the Italian striker. In order for the news around West Ham to move on from shoddy transfer rumors, the team needs to pick up their play, and quickly!