da dobrowin： According to reports in The Sun, West Ham United are one of a number of Premier League clubs lining up a move for £20m-rated Leeds United striker Chris Wood this summer.
da dobrowin： Irons manager Slaven Bilic is keen to bring in a new attacker this summer with continuing injury issues for Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, and he has identified the impressive Championship star as a potential signing.
The New Zealand international enjoyed a spectacular personal season in England’s second tier, but he could choose to make the step up to the top flight after Garry Monk’s men narrowly missed out on a place in the play-off positions despite spending the majority of the campaign in the top six.
It won’t be a straightforward deal though with the Yorkshire outfit not keen to lose their best player and with Southampton, Stoke City and Swansea City also interested in the 25-year-old, but he would certainly be a good addition.
Here are three reasons the Hammers must win the race to sign Wood…
Goals
With the absence of Carroll and Sakho at various stages of the season – and for the latter the majority of it – West Ham have somewhat struggled for goals.
Winger Michail Antonio – who was often deployed at right-back earlier in the campaign – is their top scorer with nine goals and the Irons have netted just 45 in total in 37 Premier League games.
Having scored 30 in 48 appearances in all competitions for Leeds this season, Wood could be the answer to the Irons’ woes.
Style of play
Some of West Ham’s most effective football seems to come when Carroll is on the pitch, but whether that is a good thing for supporters is another matter.
However, standing at 6’3” tall and having shown he is able to play and make a huge impact on his own up top – this would suit Bilic as he likes to play either a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 formation – Wood’s hold up play and ability to link up with his teammates could mean he is the ideal addition for the Irons this summer.
Age and potential
At 25 years of age, Wood is entering his prime and that can only be a good thing for West Ham as they look to improve while keeping the average age of their side down.
The New Zealand international still has the potential to improve as well and if he can prove to be as effective in the Premier League as he has been in the Championship this season, there is no doubt that he could prove to be a bargain buy for the Irons.
Do you agree, Irons fans? Let us know below.