Despite West Ham United splashing out £35.5m in the summer to sign Gianluca Scamacca, the east London club have scored just 12 goals in the Premier League so far this season.
The Italian striker hasn’t exactly settled at the London Stadium, scoring just two league goals before the World Cup break, and with this in mind, David Moyes might turn to the January transfer market for other solutions.
Indeed, the Irons have been linked with a move for Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres, and with the Championship club in a precarious financial situation, Moyes may be able to land the 24-year-old for a bargain price.
Gyokeres has already scored nine times in the league this season, which is more than any other West Ham player has managed in the top flight, and Hammers urgently need someone who can provide an attacking spark.
The Sweden international could be the ideal option for Moyes, especially with his physical attributes – according to FBRef’s similar player model, Gyokeres is the first-most comparable player to Brazilian powerhouse Hulk.
This season, the two strikers have registered similar statistics when it comes to shots on target (both 24), goal-creating actions (8 to 6), shot-creating actions per match (4.22 to 3.48), and goals scored (12 to 9).
Being compared to a player such as Hulk – who has scored an impressive 369 goals throughout his career – shows that Gyokeres is firmly heading in the right direction, and the Premier League is the next logical move for him.
Coventry manager Mark Robins has lavished praise on the player, saying: “He has some unbelievable ability – power, technique. He has got everything in his locker and that desire and hunger to score goals, and he’s also got a really angry side as well…”.
Judging by these comments, Moyes could land himself a striker in Gyokeres who can succeed at the highest level; and with his current attacking options not exactly setting the world on fire, a January move for the Swedish striker would be most welcome for West Ham.