[ad_pod ]
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to ExWHUemployee, West Ham United will consider a move for Torino forward Andrea Belotti if they are unable to complete a deal for Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez during this summer’s transfer window.
What’s the word, then?
The first mention of the Hammers potentially being interested in Belotti came from La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Nicolo Schira.
ExWHUemployee later verified those claims, with Belotti firmly on West Ham’s list of targets should a move for Gomez fall through.
Indeed, it has been reported that the Hammers are still working on a deal for the Celta forward but Valencia appear to be the favourites.
Gomez is three years younger than Belotti but the Torino man has the superior record when it comes to finding the back of the net.
Whilst Gomez has 60 goals in 127 games for Celta and Defensor Sporting Club, Belotti has registered 115 goals in 287 appearances for Torino, Palermo, UC AlbinoLeffe and AlbinoLeffe Berretti.
The fact that Marko Arnautovic is said to be closing in on a move to China means that signing a new striker will be even more of a priority for West Ham.
Why should West Ham favour Belotti?
As mentioned above, Belotti has the superior goal record. It is difficult to compare two players who have played in different leagues, though, and Gomez has certainly proved his class since arriving in Spain.
Thogden challenged himself to DM 100 footballers on Instagram. Find out who replied in the video below…
Belotti’s figures for Torino are outstanding, however, scoring 70 times in 148 appearances for a team not considered as one of the powerhouses in Italy.
The Italian also boasts the superior record at international level – netting five times in 22 appearances to Gomez’s two in 12 games for Uruguay.
Belotti is also more mobile in the final third of the field, which West Ham will need next season if they are to push for a top-seven finish.
Gomez could become a star in the future but a swoop for Belotti makes more sense at this moment as Manuel Pellegrini’s side look for a ready-made Arnautovic replacement.