Late speculation that Andy Carroll may be the latest big name lure to the Far East by the vast cash on offer in the Chinese Super League didn’t come to fruition, but opinion on the subject among Hammers in the Transfer Tavern remains divided.
While some in claret and blue are relieved that the burly forward will remain an option for West Ham for the remainder of the season, others are miffed that the money on offer wasn’t seized upon, after all the Englishman is perennially injured and, although they said it through gritted teeth, there’s little left to play for at the London Stadium this season.
Alas, the lingering prospect of the CSL is unlikely to go away, so there’s every chance this saga will rear its head again in the summer, at which time the club may be in a position that they’re more receptive to a deal after ruling one out this time around.
Letting Carroll leave would raise a few issues, though. The main concern is obviously getting in a replacement for the big man, and here are THREE options our landlord is convinced make sense.
Moussa Dembele
“But goals barely count if they’re scored in Scotland!” sneers one argumentative punter at the far end of the bar, to which irate glances from some green and white-clad Glaswegians are fired back. Although there is some credence to this criticism, Dembele has been excellent for Celtic since his summer switch from Fulham, banging 26 in all competitions, including three in the Champions League.
West Ham were tentatively aligned with the Frenchman during January, and if his current rate of scoring continues for the Bhoys, it’s hard to see him being at the club at the start of 2017/18. He may not offer the physical presence of Carroll, but Dembele’s pace and power seem ideally suited to the Premier League long-term.
Christian Benteke
Perhaps the most like-for-like option to replace Carroll from within the Premier League, Benteke may be on his way out of Crystal Palace this summer after just one season at Selhurst Park, with the Hammers mooted as potential suitors by the Telegraph.
The Belgian would no-doubt provide the aerial focal point the current Irons hit-man provides, but crucially he would bring a tad more technical prowess to the table, with the former Aston Villa ace often lauded for his neat feat. With a proven record in the English top-tier, he’s an option worth considering.
Chris Wood
The Championship has been a happy hunting ground for West Ham in terms of transfers for a little while now, with Michail Antonio, recruited from Nottingham Forest, proving there is value in the second tier. In terms of goalscorers right now, Leeds’ Wood appears tailor-made to replace Carroll, with the New Zealander having notched 20 league efforts in 32 games and won a mighty three aerial duels-per-match.
He may be a big agricultural in his approach, but if the Whites fail to sneak up to the Premier League via the play-offs, he may be available for a decent fee.
