4 strikers West Ham should target after Niclas Fullkrug injury

Just when it seemed as if Niclas Fullkrug was gaining some momentum in a West Ham shirt, the curse struck.

West Ham strikers simply aren’t allowed to prosper.

The Hammers’ litany of modern-day transfer failures meant they were still relying on Michail Antonio heading into 2024/25 with star right-winger Jarrod Bowen as the contingency plan up top. 31-year-old Fullkrug was the next man identified to provide goalscoring relief in the summer, but a hamstring injury means he potentially won’t be around for the next three months after five starts and a couple of goals.

With Antonio out indefinitely and Bowen absent with a broken foot, new head coach Graham Potter is bereft of options.

Whether West Ham opt for a short- or long-term fix this month is beside the point. Potter needs a striker now. Here are four potential options in the January transfer window.

Jonathan David

Evan Ferguson

Emmanuel Latte Lath

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Having entered the final six months of his Lille contract, Jonathan David, who’s no stranger to the transfer rumour mills, is going to be linked with any striker-needy club.

West Ham certainly fit that bill, and the Canadian international is the highest-profile candidate to potentially enter the poisoned chalice in east London.

David’s been a reliable goalscorer for years in France, with his numbers skyrocketing since the 2022/23 campaign. The striker’s scored 54 times in his previous 88 Ligue 1 outings. A chunk of David’s strikes have come from the penalty spot, but there’s no denying the Canadian’s ability as a clinical poacher and a multi-faceted forward.

West Ham could be the beneficiaries of David’s prime, and the player’s contract situation means the Premier League club wouldn’t have to splurge top dollar to bring him to the London Stadium.

If Potter fancies acquiring a forward familiar with the Premier League, perhaps Evan Ferguson is the route they’ll go down.