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West Ham have wasted £120m on failed striker signings

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West Ham’s seemingly endless search for a consistent striker has cost the club £120m since the start of the 2019/20 season.

The Hammers ownership have splashed the cash to solve a problem position which has spanned the tenures of Manuel Pellegrini, David Moyes, Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.

Following the exit of Marko Arnautovic in the summer of 2019, West Ham‘s push to bring in a central attacker capable of hitting double figures for Premier League goals has continued to fall short, with a host of expensive flops moving in and out of the London Stadium.

Goals from elsewhere in the squad have kept West Ham afloat, with Michail Antonio morphing into a centre-forward, as the Jamaican netted 10-plus top-flight goals in 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22.

Jarrod Bowen lightened the load on Antonio’s shoulders as injuries mounted up for the 35-year-old — but his preference for playing out wide still nudged successive West Ham bosses into the market for a No.9.

Bowen has propelled the team forward as a hybrid attacker, with 34 league goals scored in the last two seasons, but the central problem remains unsolved.

Amid links to Troy Parrott in the January transfer window, GiveMeSport takes a look at where West Ham have gone wrong in the past, with a total of 20 Premier League goals scored by five stars.

Sebastien Haller – July 2019

Sebastien Haller

Pellegrini paid a club record £45m to bring in Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt after scoring 20 goals for the German side in 2018/19. His profile matched some aspects of the outgoing Arnautovic, as a tall striker with strong link-up play, and pace in behind.

Personal problems impacted his first few months in London, but the main blow came when Moyes replaced Pellegrini in December 2019. After scoring four goals in his first seven league games, there was an air of positivity over the Ivorian, but Moyes’ call to start Antonio saw just two league goals in the second half of 2019/20 and a final campaign tally of 11 in the Premier League.

Moyes was unmoved in his eagerness to stick with Antonio in 2020/21, and after bagging just three more EPL goals, Haller moved to Ajax in 2021.

Albian Ajeti – August 2019

Who? Exactly…

Pellegrini swooped for Ajeti in a £6m deal just a few weeks after landing Haller with the Swiss international tipped for big things after scoring 14 league goals in back-to-back seasons at Basel.

However, he simply never got going at West Ham, as Moyes viewed him as not ready for the Premier League — and after failing to make a single league start, he joined Celtic the following summer.

Gianluca Scamacca – July 2022

 Gianluca Scamacca of West Ham looks on LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Gianluca Scamacca of West Ham looks on during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester City at London Stadium on August 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Moyes opted against moves for strikers in his first two full seasons at the helm with the additions of Tomas Soucek and Said Benrahma bringing goals from midfield, alongside Bowen’s ongoing rise.

However, a £30m punt on Italy international Scamacca was put to the Scottish boss, and he went for it, despite warnings over his temperament.

After taking a while to settle, Scamacca showed flashes of promise, but homesickness and a lack of adaptability to Moyes’ system saw him last less than a year with just three league goals scored.

Danny Ings – January 2023

With Scamacca struggling, Moyes boldly delved into the winter market at the start of 2023, to lure Ings to the London Stadium. After struggling for game time at Aston Villa, Ings grabbed the chance of a £12m exit, with Moyes confident of landing a proven Premier League finisher.

Aside from a mixed stint at Liverpool, Ings had developed a reputation as a consistent goal-getter for mid-table sides, with double figures scored across three of his seasons at Burnley and Southampton.

It would be unfair to criticise Ings too heavily, as two-and-a-half seasons at West Ham yielded just four Premier League goals, as injuries effectively blocked any chance of a meaningful impact — but his name still remains on the misfiring list.

Niclas Fullkrug – August 2024

Moyes’ exit at the end of 2023/24 saw Lopetegui return to the Premier League, but despite the form of Bowen and Mohammed Kudus under Moyes, the Spaniard was keen to bring in a No.9.

The club moved quickly to tie up a £27m deal for Fullkrug, who had scored 15 goals in the previous season, as Borussia Dortmund reached the Champions League final.

Niclas Fullkrug in action for West Ham United

The move was viewed as a risk — based on just one campaign at Dortmund — but Lopetegui persisted and the Germany international arrived as part of an attacking unit alongside Bowen and Kudus.

Similarly to Haller, the shortlisting of Fullkrug had merit on paper, but in practice it was the former two who drove the team forward again, as the club’s latest No.9 ended 2024/25 with three goals and yet more question marks.

What next for West Ham?

Republic of Ireland star Parrott is just one of the names linked as a mid-season option for Nuno Espirito Santo after his impressive form for club and country this season.

His profile is significantly different to Fullkrug, as less of target man than the Germany international, and despite not appearing overly keen on the 32-year-old so far, Nuno does prefer a physical presence up top.

Raul Jimenez and Chris Wood were mightily effective for him at Wolves and Nottingham Forest respectively, and a move for Jorgen Strand Larsen could be a future option, particularly if his old side Wolves are relegated in 2026.

The Norwegian was linked with Newcastle United over the summer, and he will likely push for a Molineux exit if Rob Edwards is unable to stave off relegation, and as a more flexible operator to Fullkrug, Nuno could take a look.

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Man Utd Eyeing Move to Sign Matias Fernandez-Pardo to Replace Marcus Rashford

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Manchester United are eyeing a move to sign highly-rated Lille star Matias Fernandez-Pardo to bolster their attack, according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The Red Devils have made bolstering their midfield a priority this summer, but there is also scope to add a new forward to the squad as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund will all leave permanently during the transfer window.

A new left-winger is understood to be a key area that the club want to strengthen ahead of the new season, and a 21-year-old sensation has now emerged as a target.

Man Utd Eyeing Fernandez-Pardo Deal

Matias Fernandez-Pardo

Fernandez-Pardo, who has been described as ‘explosive’, is expected to leave Ligue 1 side Lille this summer after a fantastic campaign with the French side, where he registered eight goals and six assists in 40 appearances across all competitions.

The Belgian has been identified by Newcastle United as a top target to replace Anthony Gordon, who has joined Barcelona in a £70m deal, but Man Utd are also understood to be showing an interest in the exciting forward.

Lille need to sell players this summer to help them raise funds, and the winger is regarded as one of their most sellable assets. Despite reports that he is valued at around €50m (£43.2m), United could be willing to pay it as they look for competition in the wide positions for Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Patrick Dorgu.

The 21-year-old is also understood to be of interest to Man City, with his versatility being a big point of interest, as he is able to play across the forward line out wide or through the middle.

Fernandez-Pardo is part of the Belgium squad heading to the World Cup this summer, and Lillle will be hoping that he can turn in some serious performances to help raise his price tag.

Man Utd Need Attacking Additions

Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick admitted months ago that left-wing is a position that Man Utd need to strenghten, and now that he has the role permanently, he is likely to make it a priority.

Fernandez-Pardo is the type of signing that would fit in well at Man utd as a young player with plenty of room to grow, but also having experience at a high level and performances that prove he is ready to make the step up.

Considering the likely fee he will be available for, this could be a real bargain deal considering usual market value, and he would give the squad a boost in a position that needs reinforcements ahead of next seaosn.


Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick claps the fans


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Chelsea Issue Statement After Tweet Backlash Following Arsenal UCL Final Defeat

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Chelsea have released a statement after their eyebrow-raising tweet following Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday evening went viral.

Arsenal, competing in only their second-ever Champions League final, pushed PSG all the way but eventually lost on penalties. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed their spot-kicks in the shootout as the Parisians secured their second successive European Cup.

Shortly after the final whistle, Chelsea posted a photo of their most-recent Champions League trophy (sealed in May 2021, courtesy of a 1-0 win over Manchester City), alongside the caption: “Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now.”

Chelsea’s cheeky tweet has racked up 139k reposts, 14k bookmarks and a whopping 421k ‘likes’, not to mention a further 24k replies.

Chelsea’s Statement After Posting Controversial Tweet

Chelsea Corner Flag

While Chelsea supporters and other fans of Arsenal rivals have seen the funny side, the same can’t be said for the crestfallen Gunners’ faithful.

Following some backlash to their tweet, Chelsea released a statement on X (Twitter) around 1am. Mocking their own red card record this season, the west London outfit posted:

“We probably deserve another red card for that last post! But in all seriousness, congratulations to Arsenal on winning the Premier League and a great run in the Champions League.

“Looking forward to picking up the battle again with you next season.”

“What in the utter woke nonsense is this…” replied one Chelsea fan, while another tweeted: “Oh my god, delete this you wet wipes.”

The tweet hasn’t appeased Arsenal supporters either, with one commenting: “Thanks but no thanks for the congratulatory message. You won’t be competing with us… know your place in the food chain.” Ouch.


Gabriel and Erling Haaland


Erling Haaland’s Post After Arsenal Lose Champions League Final Goes Viral

Erling Haaland is one of a few rival players to fire indirect shots at Arsenal following their Champions League final defeat.

Arteta Devastated After Champions League Final Defeat

Mikel Arteta walks past Champions League trophy

While Arsenal have enjoyed an excellent season, ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League trophy in the process, missing the opportunity to become European champions for the first time in the club’s history will still be a bitter pill for Mikel Arteta and his players to swallow this summer.

Asked to sum up his emotions after the final, Arteta was quoted by The Guardian as saying: “Pain, that’s it.

“When you are so close in the competition, and you are a few penalties away from winning the biggest club competition, that’s the way we should feel.”

The Spaniard added: “First of all you have to go through that pain, digest it, and turn it into fuel. To improve and to reach a different level, because it would demand a different level with the quality around Europe. I want to congratulate PSG because they are in my opinion the best team in the world.”

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Erling Haaland’s Post After Arsenal Lose Champions League Final Goes Viral

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Erling Haaland is one of several players to seemingly fire indirect shots at Arsenal with a post on social media, following the Premier League side’s defeat in the Champions League final.

The Gunners took the lead early on through Kai Havertz, as they hunted down the trophy for the first time in their history, but Ousmane Dembele‘s coolly finished penalty in the second half drew PSG level.

Both teams pushed for a winner in regulation time and extra time, but neither could find that one golden opportunity to seal the win, forcing it to be decided by a penalty shootout.

In the end, misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes sealed Arsenal‘s fate, losing the Champions League final and a chance at a historic double.

While the Premier League title will be the main focus for the players, who will get an opportunity to celebrate on Sunday at an Emirates Stadium parade, it is their rivals who celebrated on Saturday night.

Erling Haaland’s Wordless Arsenal Post

Erling Haaland

Plenty of Arsenal’s rivals seemingly relished the team losing in the Champions League final, taking an opportunity to rub it in on social media.

Chelsea posted a savage shot at the Gunners over the defeat, making reference to their two Champions League triumphs, as well as their Club World Cup win.

And shortly after, Erling Haaland appeared to take a cheeky dig at Arsenal with a post of his own on social media.

The Norwegian striker posted a photo of himself smiling, surrounded by friends, with the caption remaining wordless, but posted conveniently just after the Gunners lost.


Noni Madueke appeals for a penalty in Arsenal's match with PSG


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The time is likely no coincidence, with the 25-year-old knowledgeable when it comes to what people will talk about in football, as seen in his many battles with Arsenal.

Haaland famously told the Gunners to “stay humble” in a previous clash with the side, as both teams have continued to battle it out for the Premier League over the past four years.

Earlier this campaign, the striker simply smirked and sang lyrics Flo Rida song “Good Feeling” after he helped Man City secure a huge win over Arsenal, ripping the title race wide open.

While that didn’t go in his favour in the end, it appears as though Haaland has got at least one last laugh over his rivals, and he isn’t the only one.

Tottenham Players Fire Shots At Arsenal

Richarlison celebrating after scoring for Tottenham Hotspur

It wasn’t just Haaland who had his fun after Arsenal’s defeat, as their nearest and dearest rivals, Tottenham, seemingly joined in the mix through a few of their key players.

Richarlison was among the first, posting a video of a child laughing, with awfully coincidental timing to the Gunners losing the final in the shootout.

Djed Spence quickly followed, responding to an Arsenal tweet from back in February that said “Locked up” in reference to the full-back struggling in the North London Derby.

He simply replied with eye emojis and an unlocked lock, without making too many comments on the actual match itself.

That may make for a slightly frosty reception when Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke all meet up with Spence in the England camp in a few days time for the 2026 World Cup.

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