West Ham United have struggled to score goals all season, and manager Slaven Bilic will surely be looking to sign a striker during the January transfer window.
With Andy Carroll’s injury problems continuing, Diafra Sakho spending the majority of the campaign on the sidelines with a back problem and summer loan signing Simone Zaza struggling to adapt to the English game, a forward must be top of Bilic’s shopping list.
The Irons have only netted 18 times in 16 Premier League games this term and with their defence proving to be anything but solid – they have conceded 31 – more is needed at the other end of the pitch.
One player they have been linked with to solve their goalscoring woes is Sassuolo striker Gregoire Defrel, who has impressed many people with his form for the Serie A outfit this term.
Here are FOUR things West Ham fans need to know about Defrel…
He's a goalscorer
Defrel has been in impressive form for Sassuolo this season – the Frenchman has scored ten goals in 23 appearances in all competitions – taking his total to 17 goals in 58 appearances since joining the Italian side in August 2015.
West Ham desperately need a striker that can put the ball in the net on a regular basis with the injury-prone Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho as well as summer flop Simone Zaza, but they have to be sure that the 25-year-old isn’t just a one-season wonder.
European experience
As well as his time in Serie A, the French forward comes with experience of playing in European competition too having featured for Sassuolo in the Europa League this season. Including their qualification matches, he has netted four goals in the competition.
Despite being knocked out before the group stages in the last two years, regular European football will be the ultimate aim for the Irons and Bilic and they will want players that can make an impact there.
He’s in demand
It isn’t just West Ham that have been impressed with and are interested in signing Defrel.
The Irons’ Premier League rivals Liverpool are also said to be watching the 25-year-old, while Serie A giants Napoli are understood to be keen on the French forward as well.
However, the marksman would certainly be more likely to get first-team football at the London Stadium than if he moved to Anfield for example, and it will be interesting to see how things pan out in January.
He's versatile
Although Defrel would more than likely be signed as a striker if he did join the Irons, he is a forward that offers versatility by also being able to play on either wing.
That flexibility would come in handy for Slaven Bilic, as the 25-year-old would provide competition for the likes of Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho up top, as well as of Manuel Lanzini, Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio in the wide positions.