West Ham need striker options even after the signing of Sebastien Haller, so why not spend some money now on a player who can help them now, or in the future? It would be a long shot, but Swansea’s Oliver McBurnie should be on the Hammers’ radar.
I’ve done it again, I’ve talked myself into another transfer I would like West Ham to make. This time it’s Swansea City striker Oliver McBurnie. The Scottish international has lead the line for Swansea over the past two seasons and has burned up the Championship over that time.
On loan at Barnsley in Swansea’s last season in the Premier League, McBurnie broke out from his PL2 shackles. The center-forward nabbed nine goals in 17 appearances for his loan team while also scoring 10 in just seven PL2 matches prior to this. He followed this performance up with a 22 goal year last season with Swansea’s senior team, chipping in four assists and scoring two goals in two FA Cup matches.
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You can see his best goals from the last season here. What you will notice is that McBurnie is an instinctual finisher who doesn’t care whether the ball is on the floor or in the air. His ability to put headers to the back post, away from the keeper’s reach is terrific. As well, loses his defenders quite often with speed and elusive, unpredictable runs in behind. He certainly adds an element to the attack that West Ham could benefit from.
It’s clear this kid (23 years old) is a strong forward and is quickly outgrowing the Championship. With Swansea selling Daniel James to Manchester United earlier this summer, the Welsh side could begrudgingly look to cash in on McBurnie to stabilize the club. This sentiment is furthered along by his contact expiring in 2021, as well.
Sheffield United have been in on McBurnie this summer, apparently lodging a declined £15m bid. This attention is worrying should the Hammers be in on the striker, but West Ham’s Premier League stability offers them a few solutions to this transfer issue that Sheffield cannot.
Firstly, West Ham could reduce the cost of this player by offering to buy the player, extend his contract, and loan him back to Swansea. This would allow for McBurnie to have another season fighting for promotion before West Ham open up more striker roster spots (with Chicharito’s contract expiring) after this season.
Another option is a cash plus player deal. We saw Valencia do this to earn Maxi Gomez’s signature, so why not use the same approach? Nathan Holland could use a loan club, same with Joe Powell, Conor Coventry, Mesaque Dju, and even Dan Kemp. What if the Hammers kick in Marcus Brown, Jordan Hugill, and/or Reece Oxford permanently?
The Academy of Football has a lot of promising prospects, but getting in Oliver McBurnie would be worth just about any of them (a few names excluded) even on a permanent basis. McBurnie must know he has or is about to outgrow the Championship, West Ham can ease this transition with a Swansea-friendly deal that makes both parties happy.
Damn… now I really want West Ham to sign this star in the making.