West Ham face intense competition for one of their mooted transfer targets, and as a result, it could hand new head of recruitment Rob Newman his first disaster in east London...

What's the word?

According to Sport Mediaset (via Sport Witness), the Irons' top-flight rivals Southampton are the latest club to be linked with a move for Genk striker Paul Onuachu, joining the likes of Arsenal, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid in the long list of potential suitors.

Interestingly, West Ham face the Belgian outfit in the Europa League later this week, so Newman and manager David Moyes will see firsthand the threat the 6 foot 7 giant can pose.

Just last month, Sport/Voetbal magazine journalist Peter t’Kint claimed that a good performance from the Nigeria international would practically seal his move to the London Stadium, but going by these latest developments, there are plenty of other teams now keen on him.

It's thought that Genk would like around €26m (£22m) for his signature.

January disaster?

With so many clubs seemingly keen on the 27-year-old talisman, the Hammers may find it a hard task to seal any move, particularly amid interest from Atletico and Inter, who can offer Champions League football.

It would therefore be wise for Newman and the club's recruitment team to act fast if they are to stand a chance at sealing Onuachu - and they should very much want to do so, given his goalscoring record.

During the 2020/21 campaign, the £19.8m-rated colossus scored 35 times and he has continued that lucrative form into the current season, where he has bagged 11 goals in just 14 appearances, as per Transfermarkt. In total, he has bagged 56 goals in just 84 games for the Belgian giants.

Onuachu has been described as a "goal king" by former Wimbledon star John Fashanu, whilst his towering presence makes him "impossible to stop," according to his one-time FC Midtjylland teammate Alexander Scholz.

It was already a major risk to not sign another forward during the summer, so it would be inexcusable to not land one in January.

West Ham currently remain in all domestic cup competitions and are looking more than likely to advance in the Europa League, so their fixture list is going to remain hectic well into 2022.

With just one senior striker in 31-year-old Michail Antonio, who has dealt with plenty of injury problems over recent seasons, it's a worrying prospect.

A move for the Genk sensation would not only provide much-needed cover for the Hammers talisman but could also offer a new threat, given his aerial qualities.

Newman must look to win the tussle for Onuachu, as otherwise he faces the prospect of making his first mistake at the London Stadium.

AND in other news, Moyes could save West Ham millions with 17 y/o gem who "could be the next Declan Rice"...