Despite interest in Callum Wilson, West Ham United have now reportedly launched their first approach to sign a Serie A forward who outscored the former Newcastle United man last season.
West Ham in talks to sign Wilson
After losing Michail Antonio and Danny Ings earlier this summer, West Ham always needed to turn towards the transfer market for attacking additions ahead of next season. And whilst they’ve been patient with their approach, it looks as though they are finally attempting to solve Graham Potter’s biggest problem.
Having reportedly opened talks to sign Wilson, the Hammers will be hoping to welcome the veteran free agent, who needs no telling where the back of the net is. But that’s not to say there won’t question marks if Wilson arrives. As clinical as he is, to score goals a player needs to be on the pitch and that’s been the 33-year-old’s biggest problem over the years.
|
Callum Wilson’s injury record |
Games missed (via Transfermarkt) |
Season |
|---|---|---|
|
Hamstring injury |
14 |
24/25 |
|
Back injury |
15 |
24/25 |
|
Illness |
2 |
23/24 |
|
Chest injury |
10 |
23/24 |
|
Calf injury |
6 |
23/24 |
|
Hamstring injury |
6 |
23/24 |
|
Hamstring injury |
4 |
23/24 |
In the last two seasons alone, Wilson has missed a staggering 57 games through illness or injury. And at 33 years old, it seems unlikely that those problems will suddenly disappear with a move to the London Stadium.
The former Newcastle man is a proven Premier League goalscorer, but it must be mentioned that he is also a proven injury-prone player and West Ham can’t afford to get things wrong in search of a striker for the second season running.
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Instead, those at the London Stadium should set their sights on a candidate in the prime of their career and one who ticks the box for both goals and reliability – something one Serie A star would certainly do.
West Ham launch approach to sign Piccoli
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, West Ham have now launched an approach to sign Roberto Piccoli and have insistently enquired about sealing his signature this summer.
The Cagliari striker is reportedly valued at around €30m (£25m), which would force West Ham to splash the cash to welcome the Italian. But he is likely to be worth every penny of that fee as the Hammers seek a solution to their striker problem at long last.
|
League stats 24/25 (via FBref) |
Piccoli |
Wilson |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
3,127 |
370 |
|
Goals |
10 |
1 |
|
Assists |
1 |
0 |
|
Expected Goals |
12 |
0.4 |
When compared, once again it’s Wilson’s lack of availability that can be highlighted. Managing just 370 minutes last season – around four games – the forward scored just one goal. Piccoli, meanwhile, found the back of the net on 10 occasions in Serie A after playing 3,127 minutes.
The only concern for West Ham should be that the 24-year-old underperformed his expected total, which stood at 12 goals, but that may improve with further experience.
On paper, even for £26m, Piccoli stands out as the option that West Ham should be prioritising instead of Wilson this summer.
