Blackburn Rovers v Rotherham United - Sky Bet Championship - Ewood Park Blackburn Rovers Adam Armstrong during the Sky Bet Championship match at Ewood Park, Blackburn. EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMartinxRickettx 57146392
According to Lancs Live, West Ham have now turned their attention to Adam Armstrong as their search for a striker continues. A vast number of strikers such as Gaetan Laborde and Boulaye Dia have also been linked. The Hammers are interested in the Blackburn forward as they look to find a replacement for Sebastien Haller.
Sebastien Haller left West Ham to join Ajax. While Haller came with so much promise, he simply couldn’t make his mark in England. He was afforded enough chances but failed to take them.
David Moyes has had to turn to Michail Antonio on most occasions to bail his side out. Antonio did the best he could but it was clear that another prolific striker was needed. Clearly, Haller was not even getting close to that.
Now that Haller has moved on, it leaves the club woefully short on centre-forwards, with Michail Antonio being the only recognised name. Another striker is an immediate requirement.
Jarrod Bowen’s success at the London Stadium serves as a perfect blueprint that the Championship can often be a happy hunting ground for the PL clubs. Armstrong looks like a player ready to make the step up to the top-flight. Armstrong has been quite sensational in the second-tier in recent months and West Ham would have a gem on their hands if he manages to deliver the goods.
The 23-year-old has established himself as a prolific goalscorer in the Championship over the past 12 months. Armstrong bagged 16 league goals for Rovers last term and looks well on course to bettering those returns with 16 goals in 33 games in the second-tier this season so far.
West Ham should prioritise the recruitment of young players with the potential to grow under David Moyes’ stewardship and Adam Armstrong certainly fits the bill in that regard.
The former Newcastle man is only going to get better with time and the Hammers completing a move in January would surely pay off handsomely for their long-term plans.