Julen Lopetegui has had a very busy summer, with West Ham aiming to strengthen their squad for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. The club’s goal is to return to European football for the 2025/26 season.
New signings include Max Kilman from Wolves, who has previously worked under Lopetegui, talented Brazilian youngster Luis Guilherme, Championship Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville from Leeds, and veteran striker Niclas Füllkrug from Dortmund.
Despite these additions, West Ham might still be in the market for another striker. There are reservations about the investment in Füllkrug due to his age, prompting discussions about acquiring a younger forward as well, which could be a strategic move for the squad’s future.
Reports from Calciomercato indicate that West Ham is interested in Roma striker Tammy Abraham. The club has reportedly made an offer of up to £25 million for the English forward.
However, AC Milan is also keen on Abraham, who reportedly prefers a move to the San Siro, where he could play Champions League football under new manager Paulo Fonseca.
Last season, Abraham made 12 appearances for Roma after recovering from a long-term injury, scoring one goal and providing one assist in 321 minutes.
Comparing Abraham with Füllkrug, the latter made 46 appearances for Dortmund last season, scoring 16 goals and providing 10 assists in 3,605 minutes.
Füllkrug has proven himself a prolific goalscorer, with 16 goals for Dortmund and two goals at Euro 2024 in limited minutes. However, Abraham could offer more over the long term due to his age.
Using Abraham’s metrics from the 2022/23 season, he played 2,189 minutes and demonstrated significant potential.
Dubbed a “goal machine” by Stephen Elliot, Abraham excels in various metrics compared to Füllkrug, apart from goal and assist numbers. Abraham’s expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes is 0.44, close to Füllkrug’s 0.48 per 90.
While Abraham might not match Füllkrug’s goal-scoring prowess, he offers more in other areas, such as progressive carries, touches in the penalty area, shot volume (both shots and shots on target), and aerial duels won, utilizing his 6-foot-3 frame.
A combination of both strikers—Füllkrug’s experience and goal-scoring ability, and Abraham’s physical attributes, speed, mobility, and ball-carrying skills—could provide West Ham with a balanced attacking force for the upcoming season.
