Why West Ham should go all out to sign Karl Toko Ekambi
According to Le 10 (h/t The Chronicle Live), West Ham and Newcastle United are interested in signing Villarreal striker Karl Toko Ekambi.
Karl Toko Ekambi, 27, has been in excellent form for Villarreal since joining the Spanish side in the summer of 2018 from Angers. In his first season, he had a hand in 25 goals in just 43 appearances – scoring 18 and creating 7.
He has been in top form this season as well, netting six goals and supplying three assists in 19 games.
The striker’s form has caught the attention of West Ham and Newcastle United, but Villarreal want €25m for their star, the report adds. (h/t The Chronicle Live)
Both West Ham and Newcastle are in dire need of a prolific goalscorer. Joelinton, Dwight Gayle, Andy Carroll and Yoshinori Muto have a combined total of one league goal to their name this season, so the Magpies’ interest in signing Ekambi makes complete sense.
On the other hand, West Ham have just Sebastien Haller and Albian Ajeti as options up front, although Michail Antonio is also adept at operating through the middle.
But with Ajeti already out of favour just months after arriving from FC Basel and Haller yet to prove himself in the Premier League, the Hammers must do everything possible to beat Newcastle to Ekambi’s signing.
David Moyes may have steadied the ship at West Ham but there’s a lot of work to be done if the club is to climb the table. The likes of Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson have shown signs of improvement under Moyes, even though the Hammers lost 1-0 to Sheffield United on Friday.
Moyes needs to make a couple of additions to help the east Londoners achieve a top-half finish, and the arrival of Karl Toko Ekambi would make a difference.
Six goals in 11 La Liga starts this season is a respectable return for Ekambi. The Cameroonian forward does have great movement, agility and can play anywhere along the front-line. He likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender and stretch the pitch, whilst finishing off chances with ease.
The former Angers star is a real poacher inside the box and would be the ideal partner for Haller up front. In the video below, one could get a glimpse of Ekambi’s movement, ability to stretch defences, and finishing skills.
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Verdict
Therefore, Ekambi’s addition to the West Ham team could provide the manager with some depth in his striker ranks. He would not be just a backup but can also play as a secondary striker to Haller if Moyes goes with two up front when required.