The £34m last-gasp striker signing that could take West Ham to the next level
West Ham have signed Niclas Füllkrug but there is a growing temptation to bring another striker.
Michail Antonio has been a brilliant servant for West Ham. It’s been two seasons since the fun-loving striker became the London club's all-time leading scorer in the Premier League era. However, let's be honest: Julian Lopetegui will need someone who offers what Antonio does and can bring something different to the table.
There’s a real bargain waiting to come to east London in Tammy Abraham for just £34 million. He has everything needed to be a long-term replacement for Antonio and has a point to prove. Tottenham recently splashed the cash on Dominic Solanke after he bagged 22 goals, but Tammy was highly rated - more so than Solanke - when both were coming up through Chelsea’s training ground at Cobham.
Abraham, in the right team built around a striker who is strong in the air, has quick feet, and is hungry to succeed in the league, could thrive - especially after losing interest at Roma following José Mourinho’s departure.
Standing at 6'3" (190 cm), Abraham has the physical presence to hold up the ball and compete aerially, which is crucial for West Ham's style of play, particularly in a league as physical as the Premier League. Additionally, he is versatile enough to play as a lone striker or in a two-man partnership, offering tactical flexibility to David Moyes.
He can do what both Antonio and Füllkrug can do, but he also possesses qualities that they don’t, which could excite the fans and give the manager some serious firepower - or, as some might say, a "gunman."
This season, the Hammers want to push for to play in Europe again, following their stunning Europa Conference League win in 2023. Having a top class striker with Abraham's pedigree would be a great asset.
Additionally, he’s homegrown. As a product of the Chelsea academy and an England international, Abraham would qualify as a homegrown player under Premier League rules. This is particularly valuable given the league's regulations on squad composition, where clubs need a certain number of homegrown players to get over the threshold. Signing Abraham would help West Ham meet these requirements while also adding quality to their squad.
He’s only 26, and despite having played a lot of football for Chelsea, Swansea, Aston Villa, and Roma, he’s still in his prime. He led Roma to the Conference League title as their main striker, and José Mourinho has tipped him to become one of the best strikers in the world under the right system.
His time in Serie A with Roma has added to his experience, and bringing him back to the Premier League could see him reach new heights. West Ham would be acquiring a player who is still improving and who could become even more valuable in the coming years.
This summer, the Hammers have made some brilliant signings - the likes of Summerville and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have already improved the team on paper compared to last season. Bringing in Abraham would further boost the squad and ensure they make big progress under their new manager.