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Five strikers that West Ham could sign in January – Scouting Report

By Jack Hobbs

Lille's Canadian forward Jonathan David (L) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League first round group G football match between Lille (Losc) and Salzburg at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Lille, northern France, on November 23, 2021. (Photo by Denis Charlet / AFP) (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images)
Lille's Canadian forward Jonathan David (L) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League first round group G football match between Lille (Losc) and Salzburg at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Lille, northern France, on November 23, 2021. (Photo by Denis Charlet / AFP) (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Ben Brereton Diaz

BLACKBURN, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 29: Ben Brereton of Blackburn Rovers celebrates after scoring their sides second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Barnsley at Ewood Park on December 29, 2021 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)
BLACKBURN, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 29: Ben Brereton of Blackburn Rovers celebrates after scoring their sides second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Barnsley at Ewood Park on December 29, 2021 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images) /

One of this season’s surprise stars in the second division, the Chilean international has been in fine form for Blackburn Rovers so far. The 22-year-old has scored 20 goals in the Championship and has helped fire Blackburn into third place heading into the new year.

The former Nottingham Forest forward is currently second in the goalscoring charts in the Championship, bested only by Alexsander Mitrovic who has bagged an astonishing 22 goals for second placed Fulham.

Brereton-Diaz has also been replicating his good form on the international stage for Chile and has scored three times for his nation, two of which came in this summer’s Copa America.

The Stoke born strikers rise has been rapid and with that there are always going to be clubs circling. West Ham are amongst the likes of Newcastle, Brighton and Leeds who are all interested in bringing the 22-year-old to the Premier League.

Blackburn have reportedly slapped a £20 million price tag onto their star player as they look to regain promotion to the top division for the first time since dropping out in 2010.

£20 million in today’s market is nothing, especially for a player in such great goalscoring form. Brereton could be an absolute steal if Moyes can get the price right and he would bring something new and fresh to West Ham’s front line.

However, this is the first time in his career that Brereton has been finding the back of the net on a consistent basis. His best goal scoring seasons prior to this year came last season where he scored seven goals and registered five assists and in 2017/18 for Nottingham Forest where he managed just five goals and three assists.

Whilst he certainly fits into Moyes’ category of young and hungry players, Brereton hasn’t got the goalscoring experience that would make him the complete package. For example, when West Ham signed Jarrod Bowen from Hull City two years ago Bowen had scored 14 goals in 2017/18, 22 goals in 2018/19 and a further 16 goals in 2019/20 which earned him his move.

Brereton Diaz would be a decent signing but it would be a little disappointing to see us sign the Chilean when there are so many strikers in the market who could be a better fit. This would be a high risk signing but if it were to pay off then West Ham would surely be reaping the rewards for many years to come.