West Ham striker hunt takes concerning turn, £18m hitman considered

West Ham have reportedly enquired about the availability of Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, according to Chronicle Live.

It is no secret that signing a striker is high of Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui’s priority list this summer, after David Moyes struggled to find a suitable alternative to Michail Antonio during his four years at the club.

While Antonio has done a very impressive job leading the line during that period, becoming the club’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer in the process, it’s clear the club need to stop relying on his form, fitness and goals any longer.

According to Chronicle Live, Callum Wilson has emerged as a potential alternative. The England striker has one-year remaining on his St. James’ Park contract but, similar to Antonio, has suffered with injury problems of his own over the last few years.

It is believed Wilson, 32, would prefer to remain with Newcastle but might entertain to a move if it increases his England chances ahead of the World Cup in two years’ time.

Wilson scored nine goals and provided one assist in 20 Premier League appearances under Eddie Howe last season. Despite an impressive return, he mainly played second fiddle to Alexander Isak and it’s unlikely he will usurp the Sweden international as the Magpies’ leading striker.

It’s believed Newcastle are looking for around £18m to part ways with Wilson, which is well within West Ham’s budget.

West Ham must be wary of Wilson’s injury record

Hammers will have to proceed with caution. Wilson’s injury record is worse than Antonio’s and, if they’re to finally end the current striker curse at London Stadium, it would probably best to look elsewhere for the heir to Antonio’s throne.

Since signing for the Magpies in 2020, the striker has spent 473 days sidelined with injury, leading him to miss 85 games in the process.

In comparison, since the 2020/2021 season, Antonio has missed 32 games through injury, spending 183 days on the physio table. While that record is significantly better than Wilson’s, the fact they are both in their 30’s suggest neither are no longer likely to be relied upon to remain injury-free for sustained periods of time.

Therefore, this is a signing West Ham should be very wary of.