You are here

Hammers Recently Dodged One Mario-Don't Need Another

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 05/09/2019 - 12:53

The transfer window has 'slammed' shut in Europe, meaning only players who are free agents may be signed now, once the English transfer window closed there was speculation that Hammers might try and sign bad boy Mario Balotelli, fortunately he ended up signing for Brescia, so Hammers dodged a bullet there.

Having cleared the dressing room of ageing, expensive and/or disruptive players, surely the last thing Manuel Pellegrini is a 33 year old a striker who hasn't had a game this season and is unlikely to do so in the near future. Just because a player was good a few seasons back, it doesn't make sense to acquire such a 'risk', it is therefore extremely unlikley that West Ham want to sign Mario Mandzukic on loan from Juventus in January as has been reported by various red tops.

Apparently the Croatia international is on Manuel Pellegrini’s radar, there are claims that Pellegrini wanted to sign 33 year old Mandzukic last summer when he first became West Ham manager but now he has been left short of options in his strike force due to Javier Hernandez’s move to Sevilla and Michail Antonio's serious injury.

Mandzukic was a very very good striker in his heyday, but he fits the bill of a player looking for a final pay day in London, exactly the sort of signing Hammers made in the past and the sort of signing Pelle and the Huse have been trying to avoid, over 30 equals little or no sell on value and it is clear to see from the acquisition of players like Issa Diop, Pablo Fornals and Felipe Anderson that the club want to sign young players who will become an increasing assets rather than bench warmers and sick notes!

Spurious rumours do tend to emerge during the International break, it couldn't be because there is no real news, could it? - Ed

Share

Next Fixture(s)