According to The Sun, West Ham are interested in signing Nice hotshot Alassane Plea following his fine season in Ligue 1. The 25-year-old has been in excellent goal-scoring form in France in the last few years, and based on the Hammers’ struggles in the final third of the pitch last season, the addition of the forward would go some way to thrusting the East London club into European contention this time round.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, while West Ham were by no means the lowest scorers in the Premier League last season, they will certainly have to improve upon their tally of 48 goals from their 38 matches if they are to climb the table under new manager Manuel Pellegrini this term.

What’s more, just one man in Marko Arnautovic was able to reach double figures for the Hammers last time round in netting 11 goals in all competitions, with the likes of Javier Hernandez, Andre Ayew, Diafra Sakho, and Andy Carroll simply not producing the goods on a consistent basis.

In fact, messrs Ayew and Sakho left the London Stadium during the January transfer window, yet the former still finished third in their goal-scoring charts, while Sakho’s tally of four was bettered by just four other West Ham players – thus, it’s an area that needs serious reinforcements if they to challenge for Europe this term.

And in 21-goal striking hotshot Plea, Pellegrini could have his answer, as the 25-year-old has been one of the most prolific forwards in Europe in the last few seasons.

The former France youth international netted 21 goals in 49 games for Ligue 1 side Nice last term in their run to eighth place in the French top-flight, adding to the 14 he bagged the campaign before to inspire them to a third place finish, and thus a place in the 2017/18 Champions League.

Thus, it’s pretty clear that Plea knows exactly where the goal is at elite level having netted in both Ligue 1 and indeed the Europa League, while concerns over his possible suitability to the Premier League appears to be downplayed given the reported mountain of English interest in his services – West Ham alongside Fulham, Newcastle, and Tottenham are reportedly keen.

And if the Hammers were to indeed win the race for the £16.2 million-rated star (as per Transfermarkt), it’s move which could see new boss Pellegrini thrust the East London side into European contention this time round, as he could be the reliable goal-scorer they need to sustain a push in the top half of the division.

West Ham fans… what do you think? Let us know!