Before the often highly anticipated January transfer window opened, Slaven Bilic’s West Ham outfit were seemingly expecting to play out a rather uneventful winter spending period.
Yet although the Hammers were initially hoping to conclude most of their upcoming business over the summer, it seems that particular decision has been overturned with the recent capture of Sam Byram this week. The former Leeds right-back could potentially be destined for big things in the Premier League, with West Ham likely benefiting from securing his signature.
However, as former Nigerian international Emmanuel Emenike has also reportedly been linked with a possible move to the Boleyn Ground this month, it seems the Hammers aren’t quite willing to end the January transfer period without further strengthening their squad at Upton Park.
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But does this potential deal simply represent a last-minute panic move for Slaven Bilic’s side this January, or could Emmanuel Emenike genuinely help keep the good times flowing at West Ham in 2015/16?
As the 28-year-old striker is largely expected to be joining the Hammers on loan until the end of the current campaign, with the possibility of him moving to West Ham permanently if all goes well this season, then surely this particular deal must go down as a rather promising one for the Upton Park faithful.
Emenike clearly knows how to find the back of the net in style based on his previous goal-scoring form in the Turkish Süper Lig and the Russian game respectively. The former Spartak Moscow and Fenerbahçe man looks set on ending his current spell in Abu Dhabi with Al Ain FC, where he has registered a decent scoring rate already, and could become Slaven Bilic’s second major signing at Upton Park this January, albeit on a temporary basis.
The Hammers boss likely knows all about Emenike’s game from his time spent in the Besiktas dug-out last season, which can only signal further promising news for the Hammers throughout the remainder of the campaign.
Via his powerful presence inside the final third, impressive ability to hold-up possession in tight areas, and clear prowess when it comes to sending the ball home in one-on-one situations, this is a player who could easily aid West Ham in a position that certainly needs a little attention this January.
Andy Carroll has recently been ruled out with a frustrating hamstring injury, Diafra Sakho has also failed to experience a great deal of game time this term on the back of his own respective fitness concerns, and as Mauro Zarate looks closer to leaving for Italy, it seems Slaven Bilic simply must sign a new front-man this winter.
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For all his hard work and determination inside the final third, Nikica Jelavic will seemingly never be considered an adequate first choice option for the Hammers either, and as Enner Valencia has also struggled to play the lone striker role for Bilic this term, perhaps West Ham would have found themselves in slight trouble this term without some added strength among the club’s often changeable striking department.
With Emmanuel Emenike in the first team this January, however, the Boleyn Ground faithful will likely see enough goals fly in to keep their club relatively stable as the rest of the season progresses. Then, when the summer transfer window eventually comes back around, the Upton Park hierarchy can finally begin launching some long-term moves in the transfer market once again.
The upcoming move to the Olympic Stadium will obviously be massive for West Ham United. It therefore remains important to keep the club in as strong a shape as possible in the run up to such an significant change in the East End.
So with the often reliable goal-scoring exploits of Emmanuel Emenike finally on board at Upton Park, Hammers supporters far and wide have every reason to be satisfied with their club’s latest January transfer activity this season.
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