There was a whole host of movement involving Premier League clubs this summer as they spent a record £600 million in this transfer window due to the new TV rights deal that gave them a financial boost. There was a flurry of last minute activity on deadline day with many high profile players swapping clubs.
However, one club that failed to carry out any activity on the final day was West Ham, although not for a lack of effort. Even though it conducted most of its transfer business early on in the summer, it has now been revealed that the club tried to sign a striker but was unsuccessful in bringing in all three of their targets on the last day.
According to Dailymail, Karren Brady has revealed that the club scrambled on deadline day to capture a striker. Chelsea duo Romelu Lukaku and Demba Ba as well as want-away Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner were targeted by the Hammers, but they were unable to secure deals for any of the trio.
The London club said in a statement on their official website, “Despite the board and manager deciding to do their business early on in the window to avoid last-minute panic buys – resulting in the successful signings of Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Razvan Rat and Adrian – joint-chairman David Sullivan and manager Sam Allardyce did spend all night on Monday trying to sign one of three international strikers, but all opted for the lure of European football instead.”
Allardyce moved quickly to make the signing of Liverpool forward Andy Carroll permanent after the 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Upton Park and scored 7 league goals in 24 appearances. However, with the player injury-prone, the club wanted to sign another striker to strengthen the forward line with only Modibo Maiga as the senior forward left at the club.
Out of the three, only Lukaku secured a season-long loan to Everton and even though West Ham knew he was on the move, they were told he would opt to join West Brom again. Brady said, “At 8.55pm I am told Lukaku wants to rejoin West Brom and, no matter what we do, his decision is final. Then, with 10 minutes to deadline, it’s revealed he is joining Everton!”
Chelsea surprisingly loaned out Lukaku instead of Ba, who is reportedly not in Mourinho’s plans. With only three dedicated strikers on their books, the Senegalese player is expected to get a look-in to prove his worth at the Bridge.
On the other hand, Bendtner is set to stay with the Gunners after no club could secure his services reportedly due to his high wages. The Danish footballer has promised his full commitment for the Arsenal cause at least until January.