Pundit Claims West Ham Could Sign ‘Next Giroud’ Following Today’s Source Reveal

On the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson discussed how the physicality of a striker could benefit West Ham by creating space for more creative players like Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, and Mohammed Kudus.

Robinson’s comments follow Football Insider’s report on August 2, which revealed that West Ham is nearing a £13 million deal to bring Niclas Füllkrug to the London Stadium.

According to the latest updates from well-placed sources, the deal is expected to be finalized soon.

Füllkrug, who scored 12 goals in 29 league appearances last season and helped his club reach the Champions League final, has also made an impact with Germany at Euro 2024.

His performances have caught the attention of the Hammers, who have been searching for a new striker since Gianluca Scamacca’s departure last summer. Michail Antonio and Danny Ings have been leading the line in the interim.

Robinson believes Füllkrug could be the perfect fit as West Ham’s number nine. His goal-scoring ability and hold-up play stand out, making him a valuable addition. Robinson noted, “They’re looking for a number nine and they have been for a while.

Michail Antonio has led the line for a while, but Füllkrug did it at Dortmund last year with 15 goals in 43 games across all competitions, including 12 in 29 league matches. For Germany, he’s scored 13 goals in 21 games, which is a really good record.”

Robinson described Füllkrug as an “old-school number nine,” a robust striker who will be a threat from set-pieces and offer West Ham the chance to play in a new style.

He compared Füllkrug to Olivier Giroud at Arsenal, emphasizing how a traditional number nine can occupy defenders, allowing creative players to exploit the space.

This profile of striker aligns with what West Ham is currently seeking to enhance their attacking options.