Another one of West Ham’s mooted summer transfer targets has slipped from their grasp…
What’s the word?
Back in May, the Irons were strongly linked to Adam Armstrong and were thought to be the front-runners in the race to land his signature, as per The Sun.
The Daily Mail then claimed a month later that Blackburn Rovers were willing to sell him for a lower amount than their initial £25m valuation, which further opened the door to the East Londoners to strike a bargain deal.
However, the 24-year-old talisman has joined Premier League rivals Southampton on a four-year deal, replacing another one of the Hammers’ reported striker targets, Danny Ings, who signed for Aston Villa last week.
Armstrong cost just £15m.
Striker setback
Ivan Toney last year. Ings last week. Potentially Tammy Abraham. And now Armstrong.
West Ham’s search for an alternative to Michail Antonio has been very frustrating and it seems like it’s not going to get any better now, as another target has been missed.
David Moyes cannot afford to go into September with the 31-year-old as his only senior option, especially given his past with injuries. Since joining from Nottingham Forest in 2015, Antonio has struggled to start more than 24 matches in the league.
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He’s also proof that recruiting from the lower divisions can pay dividends and Armstrong would’ve been a very interesting option for the Europa-bound Irons this season.
Former Hammers star Joe Cole once likened the former Rovers striker to Sergio Aguero.
“Armstrong reminds me of Aguero in a way, he’s of the build and he’s hungry for goals,” the ex-England midfielder told Coventry’s official website (via efl.com). “In a lovely way, he’s selfish for goals and has the ingredients to be a top player and go on to score many more goals.”
No player fired off more shots per game in the 2020/21 Championship than Armstrong (4.7), so it’s hardly a surprise to see him amongst the most lethal finishers in the division, having bagged a whopping 28 goals – a feat only bettered by Toney.
Also described as “explosive” and “devastating” by Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray to The Athletic, the former Newcastle United youth product would fit the sort of mould that Moyes would undoubtedly be looking for as these are similar characteristics to Antonio.
He will surely be absolutely gutted to miss out on yet another target.
AND in other news, “We are told”: Sky Sports drop major West Ham transfer update, Moyes will be delighted…