Arnautovic leaves West Ham
With the 2018/19 Premier League season less than a month away, West Ham are rather short staffed in the striker department.
Lucas Perez has been sold to Spanish outfit Alaves while Andy Carroll was released on a free transfer.
West Ham would then announce that they had sold Marko Arnautovic to Shanghai SIPG
Arnautovic had reportedly previously handed in a transfer request back in January amid an offer from China and now he looks to have finally got his wish.
Whether West Ham fans liked Arnautovic and his attitude or not, the Austrian was till a key member of their squad.
The 30-year-old was their top scorer this past season netting 11 and assisting four in 30 games across all competitions.
But with three of their first-team strikers having already departed this summer, Manuel Pellegrini’s side should really be looking at signing a new forward before the forthcoming season.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United looks dejected during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton FC at London Stadium on March 30, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)
Maxi Gomez joins Valencia
West Ham United did look to be in the market for Spanish forward Maxi Gomez.
It had been reported that Gomez would join West Ham for a fee of around £45m, snubbing Valencia in the process.
This would have been a huge signing for the Hammers.
The 22-year-old looks to have bags of potential and despite playing for relegation battling Celta Vigo, Gomez netted 13 and assisted five in 35 La Liga outings last campaign.
However, on Sunday the 14th of July, Valencia would officially announce they had signed Gomez from Celta Vigo.
After missing out on Gomez, West Ham need to act fast if they want to sign a new forward before the PL season starts, here are three potential options.
Sebastien Haller
The first striker West Ham could target this summer is Eintracht Frankfurt forward, Sebastien Haller.
Haller was somewhat overlooked this past season due to the fact he was playing alongside now Real Madrid forward, Luka Jovic.
However, Haller himself had a very impressive 2018/19 campaign.
The 25-year-old would score 15 and assist nine in 29 Bundesliga outings last season.
Haller also impressed for Frankfurt in the Europe League, netting five and assisting three in 10 appearances.
The Frenchman has also already been linked with a move to West Ham with Sky Sports claiming Haller is rated at £40m.
West Ham and Eintracht Frankfurt are in talks over the transfer of £40million-rated striker Sebastien Haller, according to Sky sources
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – MAY 12: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Sebastien Haller of Frankfurt looks on during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Commerzbank-Arena on May 12, 2019 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images)
Gonzalo Higuain
Like Haller, the next player West Ham could sign has also already been linked with a move to the club.
Gonzalo Higuain has previously spent some time in England, playing the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea.
While the Argentine didn’t have the greatest time at Stamford Bridge, Higuain still scored five in 14 PL games.
Higuain has also proven for Real Madrid, Napoli and Juventus that he can be a top quality goal scorer if he is on form.
The Hammers may have one problem when trying to sign Higuain though as the 31-year-old is said to be keen to stay at Juventus.
West Ham are interested in bringing former Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain back to the Premier League, according to Sky in Italy.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Gonzalo Higuain of Chelsea looks on during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge on January 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Salomon Rondon
Finally, West Ham could attempt to sign Salomon Rondon in a bid to bolster their attacking options.
Rondon is currently a West Brom player but spent the 2018/19 season on loan at Newcastle United.
In a rather defensive minded Newcastle team, Rondon would manage a very respectable 11 goals and seven assists in 32 league outings.
Rondon has the most Premier League experience of the above mentioned players, playing 140 PL fixtures for West Brom and Newcastle.
Furthermore, while West Brom may wish to keep hold of a player as talented as Rondon, they failed to regain promotion to the English top-flight this past season, losing to Derby in the Championship play-off semi-finals.
West Ham may, however, face some competition from Rafa Benitez as The Times have reported he is keen to bring the striker to his new club in China.