Julen Lopetegui has assembled a talented squad at West Ham United, featuring top-tier wingers who pose a significant goal threat. Yet, one area that still seems to need reinforcement is the striker position.
The Hammers have faced challenges in their quest for a reliable frontman, with high-profile signings like Sebastian Haller and Gianluca Scamacca falling short of expectations despite their hefty price tags of £45m and £35.5m, respectively.
With the Premier League season on the horizon, speculation is rife about who will lead West Ham’s attack. Recently, Dortmund’s Niclas Füllkrug has been linked with a move, but the focus has now shifted to AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham.
Italian journalist Marco Demicheli, via Radio Rossonera, reports that West Ham is in the race to sign Abraham, a former Chelsea striker. Everton is also showing interest in the 26-year-old. Both clubs have reportedly made initial offers, but Roma has set a €30m (£25m) price tag on Abraham.
In addition to the transfer fee, Abraham’s wages of £93k per week would place him among the top earners at West Ham, just above Mohammed Kudus, who earns £90k per week, according to Capology.
Last season, Abraham struggled with injuries, making only 12 appearances for Roma and contributing one goal and one assist in 321 minutes of play. However, his potential remains undeniable.
Comparisons between Abraham and former West Ham striker Sebastian Haller reveal interesting similarities. Both players score at a rate of 0.21 goals per shot, indicating similar finishing prowess. They also have comparable shot volumes, with Abraham taking 2.24 shots per 90 minutes, slightly ahead of Haller.
Standing at 6’3″, Abraham has a physical presence that he has embraced, describing himself as a “monster” under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, which earned him an England recall.
Despite the similarities to Haller, who struggled at West Ham but thrived at Ajax and Dortmund, Abraham brings a proven track record in English football. He scored 15 goals in the Premier League for Chelsea in the 2019/20 season and netted 25 goals in the Championship for Aston Villa in 2018/19.
The question remains: can Tammy Abraham be the striker to lead West Ham’s attack alongside Kudus and Jarrod Bowen? With his experience and physical attributes, Abraham could be the solution the Hammers have been searching for.
