West Ham chief promises two striker signings this summer

Matt Stead

West Ham will look to sign two strikers with “Premier League experience” this summer.

The Hammers struggled for much of last season, with Slaven Bilic’s job as manager under apparent threat at numerous stages as the club battled against relegation.

Ten clubs scored more Premier League goals last campaign, with top goalscorer Michail Antonio (9) often featuring as a right-back.

Andy Carroll pitched in with seven league goals but was often injured, as was Diafra Sakho (one goal), while Jonathan Calleri (one goal) struggled.

Speaking to talkSPORT, co-owner David Gold first ruled out a move for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere:

“We are interested in all good players but we have to face the facts here – we have got good midfielders,” he said.

“We have got a good defence, we have got good midfielders, we have got good wingers. We need strikers and that is the key to everything for this season so we are focused first and foremost on bringing in two strikers.”

West Ham have been linked with moves for Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott so far this summer, but have only signed Pablo Zabaleta on a free transfer thus far.

“It’s clear to most fans that we are desperate for centre-forwards,” Gold added.

“Andy Carroll is injury-prone as we know, we have had an injury problem with [Diafra] Sakho and we have just got to bring in centre-forwards. We have got to find the money.

“Without strikers, you struggle in the Premier League. You struggle in any division because strikers are your key players.

“You have to spend your money wisely but it must be on strikers, particularly strikers that have had experience with Premier League football – the very best we can afford.

“We have tried the route of going overseas to bring in players – that hasn’t worked. We had a very difficult season because players we brought in from Europe didn’t make the grade and we paid the price. We struggled.

“We were actually flirting for some time with relegation because we couldn’t score goals. That is why we have got to bring in players with Premier League experience and that is what we are working on now. David Sullivan is working day and night in an effort to solve this problem.”