West Ham Championship Target: Aleksandar Mitrovic is the way to go

West Ham fans have reason to be optimistic heading forward if various reports are to be believed. Rumors have been circulating that David Moyes has implemented a policy that focuses on recruiting young talent.

This approach would be a stark contrast to the clubs’ previous transfer policies, where in recent years there have been no clear guidelines. The likes of 33-year-old Carlos Sanchez, who is sitting on a reported £64,000-per-week, have been recruited in the not-too-distant past, at a time when the West Ham owners promised “next level” football.

So where better for the club to hunt for young and hungry players, who are looking to make the step up to the Premier League, than the Championship? It may be the second tier of English football, but the quality is certainly not lacking.

The league has proven to be a hotbed for emerging talent in recent seasons, where Premier League clubs have either signed the players or they have worked their own way up through promotion. The Hammers, of course, purchased their own Championship star in January, as Jarrod Bowen so far looks to be a steal.

I am going to nominate a player that has supposedly been on West Ham’s radar in the past, therefore not so much of a hidden gem. That man is Aleksandar Mitrovic. Hear me out.

The Serb was reportedly being watched closely by the Hammers last summer, having enjoyed a successful campaign with Fulham in the Premier League scoring 11 goals, despite the Cottagers eventual relegation.

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To hit double figures in a very disjointed side, who looked destined for the drop since the early weeks of that season, is no mean feat. It brings up the question of what the striker could potentially do if he had superior players around him.

This top-tier season wasn’t an anomaly either, as he bagged nine goals in his debut season for Newcastle United, who also happened to be relegated. The two relegations on his CV doesn’t look particularly encouraging, but they happened in spite of his great efforts, rather than because of him.

This halted season has arguably been his most impressive yet. Having stayed at Craven Cottage, he is sitting at the summit of the Championship top scorers charts with 23 goals, helping guide Fulham to a very promising 3rd position with nine games to go.

This shows a lot about his character as he seems determined to help guide his club back to the big time, having been part of their relegated side just a year ago. This would be a signing that would make sense not just because of his evident and proven qualities, but because it is an area where West Ham lack depth and efficiency.

With only the disappointing Sebastien Haller and the unproven Albian Ajeti as the Hammers’ “real” strikers, the acquisition of Mitrovic could prove to be a masterstroke if it were to go through. If Fulham were to be promoted, it would make it harder for West Ham to snatch Mitrovic off their hands.

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With the uncertainty surrounding the remainder of the season, however, the Cottagers may miss out on promotion by default, which would clear the path for Moyes to swoop in and offer the 25-year-old Premier League football once more.

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