Sebastian Haller, Gianlucca Scamacca, Danny Ings and Niclas Füllkrug have all come to West Ham in recent years and failed. Blame it on scheme fit, blame it on injuries, blame it on Premier League readiness; either way, the Hammers can't afford to get the next acquisition for their attack wrong. There have been rumors and whispers hinting or linking West Ham to U.S. Men's National team striker Josh Sargent. A player currently leading his team Norwich City to the bottom of the Championship.
As of December 2025, West Ham United have their own battle with relegation, sitting in the bottom three and desperately needing goals. But why should they rescue Sargeant from one relegation battle to another? West Ham's striker situation is dire: Füllkrug has flopped (injury-hit and underperforming), with reports of him pushing for an exit to clubs like AC Milan, while veteran Callum Wilson (aged 34) is the main option up top. Reports confirm strong interest in Sargent, with scouts impressed, initial talks opened, and a potential £17.5-20m fee discussed. However, pursuing the 25-year-old carries significant risks that could hinder survival efforts. Here's why West Ham should look elsewhere:
"The interest in Josh Sargent is real, but so are the red flags. "Cris Italia
Proven Failure in the Premier League
Sargent's only top-flight experience came with Norwich in the 2021-22 season, where he managed just 2 goals in 26 appearances during a relegation campaign. Critics highlight his struggles against Premier League defenses, with missed chances (including high-profile blunders) contributing to Norwich's woes. While he's excelled in the Championship, the step up exposed limitations in clinical finishing and physicality against elite opposition. In a survival fight, West Ham can't risk another adaptation period—past imports like Füllkrug, Scamacca, and Haller have already burned bridges on similar gambles.
Inconsistent Form and Recent Goal Drought
After a hot start to 2025-26 (Player of the Month in August with 5 goals in 4 games), Sargent's output has tapered off sharply. As of December, he has around 6 goals and 3 assists in 20 Championship appearances, with Norwich languishing near the bottom (23rd in some reports). He's endured spells without scoring, drawing criticism even at second-tier level. West Ham need guaranteed goals now, not a player whose form dips when team service falters—especially with Nuno Espírito Santo's pragmatic setup demanding immediate impact.
High Risk in a Relegation Scrap
Fans and pundits have voiced concerns that targeting Championship strikers like Sargent (or Coventry's Haji Wright) signals "preparing for the Championship" rather than fighting to stay up. Signing a player unproven at Premier League level mid-season is a desperate roll of the dice—history shows few second-tier forwards translate instantly (e.g., contrasting successes like Jarrod Bowen are rare). With the club already vulnerable, a misfire from Sargent could exacerbate goal-shy issues, potentially costing crucial points.
Financial and Strategic Misfit
Norwich are driving a hard bargain (£20m+ potential), leveraging Sargent's contract until 2028 and their own relegation fight. For that fee, West Ham could explore proven Premier League options or overseas talents with less risk (e.g., links to Promise David, Santiago Gimenez, or others). Sargent's injury history and quieter periods post-hot streaks add uncertainty—West Ham's budget is tied to departures like Füllkrug, so splashing on a "project" rather than a sure thing feels unwise.
Better Alternatives Available
Nuno wants a domestic-based, physical striker who presses relentlessly, but options like Haji Wright (8 goals in 17 games for table-topping Coventry) appear more appealing to fans and analysts. International scrutiny on Sargent (goal droughts for USMNT) also raises questions about big-stage mentality ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
In a do-or-die January window, West Ham must prioritize reliability over potential. Sargent thrives in the Championship but has already shown he's not yet ready to rescue a Premier League side from the brink. If he stays at Norwich, he may not save his own team from relegation to League One. His standing among U.S. National team strikers shows he's 4th or 5th on the depth chart (behind Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Jesus Ferriera) and rarely seizes the opportunity when he gets it. Avoiding this move could prevent another costly striker flop and focus resources on targets with proven top-flight pedigree. The interest is real, but so are the red flags—this feels like a trap best sidestepped.