West Ham Linked With Unlikely Double Madrid Swoop

West Ham are in need of another striker due to Michail Antonio’s injury record and Sebastien Haller’s inability to play David Moyes’ style.

According to the Spanish news outlet, Defensa Central, West Ham are interested in signing Serbian forward Luka Jovic as well as the Dominican Mariano Diaz. It is not a shock that David Moyes is looking to sign another striker in the January window to bolster his striker options.

Moyes currently only has one natural striker in the shape of Sebastien Haller. The Ivorian international has one Premier League goal to his name but has struggled to fit the Scots system. The only other option is Michail Antonio who despite scoring three goals this season is not a natural forward and is prone to injury.

The club has been linked to both of the Madrid men in the past, but no move has materialised as of yet. With the new reports that could be about to change. Jovic would likely be the Hammers number one target due to his experience of playing with Haller for Frankfurt.

The forwards, along with Ante Rebić, formed two parts of a deadly front three in for Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. The understanding they built up was enough to get the german side to a Europa League semi-final in 2018/19 and the DFB-Pokal trophy in 2017/18.

Since the success in Germany and a big-money move to Los Blancos Jovic’s career has stalled, the forward has only managed to score twice for the Spanish giants in thirty-two appearances. This dismal return means that Madrid are willing to let the forward leave the club on a loan-to-buy deal, something that could appeal to the Hammers.

Jovic’s recent form in front of goal may be off-putting to some, but the striker is still only 22-years-old and has plenty of time to rediscover his goalscoring form.  The forward has tonnes of potential and could fulfil it at West Ham if given the opportunity.

The other forward, Mariano, is less widely known. The 27-year-old has fallen out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu and is set for a move away. The striker is said to have lost the trust of Zinedine Zidane and has only made one appearance this season.

The striker does have a better record at Madrid then Jovic, Diaz has scored ten goals in his forty-one appearances for Los Blancos. Though, the chance to reunite Jovic and Haller should be the club’s priority.

A reunion of the two strikers could be a wise move for the Hammers. If the plan came together, it would have the potential of creating a striker partnership that fans have not seen since the days of Frank McAvennie and Tony Cottee.

Unfortunately, a move for Jovic does seem unlikely as Madrid will want to recoup as much of the money they invested in the striker back after the initial loan. Mariano would prove to be the cheaper option of the two by a considerable margin.