Green Street Hammers
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5 strikers West Ham are linked to and their chances of joining

By Scott Johnson

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Olivier Giroud of Chelsea reacts to having his goal dissallowed during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on December 30, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Olivier Giroud of Chelsea reacts to having his goal dissallowed during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on December 30, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /
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Despite him still being at the club and training it seems West Ham are now expecting Arnautovic to leave. But who are they looking at as a replacement?

As has been covered almost ad nausea, West Ham are looking for a a striker replacement. Although Arnie isn’t going on strike like Payet, a player who wants to leave isn’t great for the atmosphere and you would expect his effort levels to be below par. So selling and finding a replacement seems the optimal move now.

But do we go big in the January window, or go for a loan and make a big move in the summer? Well we’re going to look at 5 options, starting with 2 short term fixes and then looking at 3 big moves the Hammers could make to replace the China bound Austrian.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: Olivier Giroud of Chelsea reacts to having his goal dissallowed during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on December 30, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: Olivier Giroud of Chelsea reacts to having his goal dissallowed during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on December 30, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /

Olivier Giroud

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West Ham have been linked with Giroud ever since he was linked with a move away from Arsenal. The move to Chelsea has been good at points but he is struggling to get regular gametime and with his contract up in the summer he is expected to be leaving for a minimal fee this January to avoid him leaving for free in the summer.

The big issue here is that Chelsea are currently organising what can only be described as a striker merry go round. There are strong rumours that Higuain has agreed to join the club on loan with an option to buy, that Morata will be leaving to go to Atletico, that Batshuayi (also a possible target) will be heading to Monaco and Giroud may or may not be needed. It’s going to be a bit of Chaoas in West London towards the end of the month.

Would Giroud join? Yes, I think he would. We’d offer gametime, a London base and fewer demands of him all around. If Arnie and Chicharito are to leave the club, someone like Giroud would be an experienced head in the dressing room, more mobile than Carroll and a genuine goal threat. If the Hammers want a reliable striker on the cheap, Giroud will certainly do the job until the Summer. Beyond that? I’m unsure.

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