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West Ham should make a move for Empoli hitman Francesco Caputo to replace the injury-stricken Andy Carroll at the London Stadium, in a move that would add serious competition to the striking ranks and wouldn't cost too much.

What's the word, then?

Well, Carroll has made just four appearances in the Premier League this season for the Hammers, all of them coming from the substitutes bench as he is yet to make a start for the club.

A lot has been made of the England international's injury history, but the progress and style of play under Manuel Pellegrini in particular suggests that the 29-year-old's time at West Ham is up regardless of if he manages to regain his fitness.

Pellegrini has Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic as his striking options currently, and both have been very good this season with five goals each to their name this season in all competitions.

Just the two of them, however, may not be enough to maintain the east Londoners' current eye-catching form for the second half of a gruelling Premier League season, so perhaps an addition to the ranks in January wouldn't go amiss.

Why should they go for Caputo?

The Italian striker has been in exquisite form for newly-promoted Empoli in Serie A so far this season. Caputo has hit nine goals and has also recorded two assists for the club in 17 starts this season, whilst his all-round game provides a lot for opposition defences to think about.

31-year-old Caputo was Empoli's star man in their promotion campaign last season, scoring 26 goals and recording seven assists in 41 Serie B starts.

At his age, he may feel that he will only get the chance to make one more significant transfer in his career, and may want to have a taste of one of the biggest leagues in the world in the Premier League should a club come calling.

That club should most definitely be West Ham; for squad depth and competition for their current forwards, the relatively unknown Caputo would be a great option and shouldn't cost too much either.