West Ham must ensure they identify the right striker in January to rectify their previous failings in the transfer market.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, amid West Ham’s interest in striker Promise David from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

The Hammers are three points adrift of safety, and are currently on a five-game winless streak under manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

West Ham ‘haven’t been able to solve’ striker issues

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes West Ham are still over reliant on captain Jarrod Bowen for goals.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that finding the right striker has been a long-term problem for the London club.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Now as it stands, West Ham are in that bottom three at the moment. It’s going to be them and Leeds it looks like in terms of that fourth place, and there is a long, long way to go. 

“And if we look at this over Christmas, and we see where West Ham are sitting in January, then I think it’s a player [Promise David] that they would be interested in. But West Ham have had a terrible record of picking strikers. You know, we’ve got [Niclas] Fullkrug at the moment, who’s the latest in a long line, Sebastian Haller before that.

“I remember that they haven’t been able to solve this properly. And it’s going to be something for both sides to consider. Promise David may not be blessed with opportunities and West Ham may be his best chance, but I think they’re going to make a decision not to get involved in a relegation battle. But then again, if he’s the saviour, comes in, then his stock goes higher. 

“So it’s one of those great football decisions that you’ve got to take. I think he would get minutes though, because the West Ham forward line has not been prolific as it needs to be, apart from Jared Bowen as usual chipping in all the time to save them. 

“So I think, you know, they’ve got to hopefully get lucky with one of these strikers they get, because the past record has not been good. So hopefully this could work. But as I say it’s not a done deal by any means.” 

West Ham to offload unwanted striker

Niclas Fullkrug could depart West Ham in January, with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen preparing a move for the German international.

The 32-year-old has struggled for form and fitness at the London Stadium ever since he joined the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2024.

Fullkrug was not involved in the matchday squad for West Ham’s 3-2 defeat against Aston Villa, with Callum Wilson above him in the pecking order.