West Ham Opinion: Why the Hammers should go for Wissam Ben Yedder?
Sevilla forward Wissam Ben Yedder has admitted his time has come for himself to test at a big club.
The France striker, 28, has been a prolific goalscorer since emerging at Toulouse and earned his move to Sevilla three years ago. He initially struggled to adapt to the La Liga but the 28-year-old has gradually established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in Spanish football.
Wissam Ben Yedder netted 30 goals across all competitions this past season and has put himself on the transfer market. Spanish news outlet Football Espana claims that the forward has a €40m release clause in his current contract.
In January, Football London reported that West Ham were keen on signing Ben Yedder, but a deal didn’t materialise. However, they must now reignite their interest in the Frenchman and sign him this summer.
Manuel Pellegrini took charge of West Ham little more than a year ago and set about changing the mentality of the club from a mid-table side to European contenders. He guided the Hammers to a tenth-placed finish last term but will be aiming to break into the top six next term. And for that to happen, West Ham will have to spend big again in the transfer market.
So far, the east Londoners have signed two goalkeepers – David Martin and Roberto Jimenez– to provide back up for Hammer of the Year Lukasz Fabianski. Pellegrini is aware he needs to add goals to his side that managed only 52 goals in the Premier League. At present the Chilean manager only has Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez as out and out strikers in his squad – something he must address before the start of the new season.
But there is the potential for Hernandez to leave the club in the coming weeks, with Valencia keen to take him to La Liga. Should the Mexican leave, Pellegrini will be left with Arnautovic as the only striker in his squad having already sold Lucas Perez and released Andy Carroll. That’s when the signing of Wissam Ben Yedder would make sense for West Ham.
Ben Yedder does most of his best work in and around the penalty area, and he would provide West Ham with something that they do not currently possess in the final third. He has solid pace to burn, is an excellent finisher and has the ability to stretch defences with his smart movement.
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The ex-Toulouse star has the qualities to thrive in the Premier League and in Pellegrini’s system at the London stadium.
Verdict
With West Ham already having attackers like Felipe Anderson, Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic, the addition of Ben Yedder would potentially give Pellegrini’s attack an extra punch of pace and guile. Hence, the Hammers must do everything possible to thrash out a deal for the four-cap France international.
