West Ham opinion: West Ham United should sign Aleksandar Mitrovic

The Calciomercato has reported that West Ham United have joined the race for Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. With Marko Arnautovic’s future in flux at the moment (the Times), the Hammers are looking for someone to replace him, with the Italian news outlet revealing that both Mitrovic and Maxi Gomez have made the list.

The 24-year-old Fulham striker has been one of the few bright lights of their miserable campaign so far, taking to the Premier League brilliantly. So far, he’s managed 10 goals, which means that he has outscored Felipe Anderson, Chicharito and every other West Ham United player in the Premier league.

But that still hasn’t been enough to help Fulham, with the Cottagers all but confirmed as relegated this season with just 17 points to their name. Even winning their next seven games might not help the club, especially with Cardiff City eleven points ahead of them.

Spending £100million (Evening Standard) in the summer seems to have not helped the club this season. Few players have flourished, with Aleksandar Mitrovic, being one of the few exceptions for Fulham, with the Serbian striker taking to the Premier League brilliantly.

However, the fact that he did play for Newcastle United in the Premier League has played a part. But Mitrovic seems to have pushed aside that blip in his career.

For West Ham, few players would come as affordable, young and Premier League proven next summer. The fact that Mitrovic suits their style of play is a big plus.

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini likes his strikers to be big, tough and beasts in front of goal, which personifies Mitrovic. The Serbian is an absolute bully with or without the ball, bringing back memories of former Chelsea striker Diego Costa.

Furthermore, he is a proven Premier League goalscorer with 23 goals in his last  three top-flight seasons. That tally should see West Ham make a move, as only Marko Arnautovic has managed to outscore him. Both Andy Carroll and Chicharito have only 19 goals apiece in their last three Premier League seasons.

And as mentioned above, Marko Arnautovic’s future is in flux at the moment. The former Stoke City striker was heavily linked with a move to the Chinese Super League in the winter window (BBC), and while West Ham got him to sign an extension, it doesn’t solve the problem.

It contains a release clause that is the fee which was offered to the Hammers and the Times has reported that it could be activated.

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Conclusion

Aleksandar Mitrovic would be brilliant for West Ham. The 24-year-old has managed to hit double figures for a struggling Fulham this season. What he could do with the likes of Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko and even Manuel Lanzini alongside him is something that seems exciting.