“Premier League Ready?” | Steidten Has Striker Concerns. West Ham United‘s quest for a new striker takes an interesting turn as reports indicate that Canadian forward Jonathan David might not be their top priority after all.
David’s goal-scoring prowess is undeniable. The Canadian has amassed an impressive 43 goals in Ligue 1 over the past two seasons, including 19 goals and four assists in the recently concluded 2023/24 campaign.
However, Tim Steidten, reportedly harbours reservations about David’s ability to adapt to the Premier League’s rigours.
Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran has seemingly emerged as the favoured candidate, potentially relegating David to a secondary option. But at £40 million he is somewhat on the pricey side.
While Steidten possesses the authority to steer the club’s transfer targets, having already secured Luis Guilherme, Max Kilman, and Wes Foderingham, reservations linger regarding the immediate dismissal of David’s candidacy.
David’s clinical finishing has earned him praise from his Canadian teammate Stephen Eustaquio, who lauded him as a ‘cold man’ in front of goal. This reputation is bolstered by his impressive tally of 84 goals in 183 appearances for Lille, further solidified by his 28 goals on the international stage for Canada across 54 appearances.
While Duran exhibits promising potential at Aston Villa, currently serving as an understudy to Ollie Watkins, David presents a seemingly more astute acquisition, especially considering he enters the final year of his contract with Lille, potentially offering a more economical transfer fee for the Hammers.
Michail Antonio’s ongoing battles with injuries underscore the urgency for West Ham to bolster their attacking options. AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham and Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri are also names mentioned in connection with a potential move to the London Stadium.
The coming weeks will be interesting for West Ham fans, as they eagerly await news regarding the club’s chosen striker to spearhead their attack. Will the Hammers prioritise David’s established goal scoring record, or will Duran’s latent potential sway their decision?
