West Ham United have endured a rather disappointing Premier League campaign so far, with David Moyes’ side currently just two points above the relegation zone despite a hefty summer spend.
One notable issue for the Hammers has been their lack of goals, with just 19 in 22 top-flight games so far this term, with that meagre record coming despite the additions of Gianluca Scamacca and Danny Ings across the previous two transfer windows.
Those woes may have ensured that a new centre-forward could well be on the agenda ahead of next season, with recent reports claiming that the east London outfit are interested in a move for Flamengo marksman Pedro.
What’s the latest on Pedro to West Ham?
According to recent reports in Spain – via CaughtOffside – the Irons are said to be eyeing a move for the 25-year-old this summer, with the Brazil international set to cost in the region of €40m (£35m) if he is to depart any time soon.
However, the article also notes that his current club hold a strong bargaining position at present, having only recently tied down the four-cap sensation to a new contract which is set to run until 2027.
The Rio de Janeiro native has been the subject of Premier League attention in the recent past, following reports that Leeds United were keeping tabs on the 6 foot 1 hotshot ahead of the January transfer window.
What could Pedro’s possible arrival mean for Antonio?
This potential search for a new striker at the London Stadium comes amid the uncertainty surrounding Michail Antonio’s position at the club, with the Jamaica international having reportedly been the subject of interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers, along with clubs in the MLS.
The 32-year-old – who is West Ham’s highest Premier League scorer in the division’s history – had himself hinted that an exit could be on the cards before the deadline, although he is now set to stay until the end of the season at least.
The former Nottingham Forest man still has just under 18 months remaining on his existing deal, although the explosive asset has endured a frustrating season so far, having scored just two top-flight goals in 21 appearances.
As such, it is seemingly no surprise that Moyes and co had seemingly been ‘open to offers’ for the versatile figure last month if a replacement could be secured, with the possible addition of the aforementioned Pedro in the near future potentially set to hasten that exit.
The latter has emerged as something of a “local hero” in his homeland as a result of his prolific form of late, as per South American football expert Tim Vickery, having scored 70 goals and provided 19 assists in 156 games in all competitions for Flamengo.
Lauded by Vickery as an “excellent finisher”, the one-time Fluminense man – who scored 20 goals in 58 games for his previous employers – may well be hoping for another crack at life in Europe, after previously making just four appearances for Serie A club Fiorentina.
The clinical ace has already started the new Brazilian campaign in stunning fashion with nine goals and two assists in just seven appearances across all fronts, with that hot streak in stark contrast to Antonio’s struggles in 2022/23.
Signing Pedro would allow Moyes to find a true penalty-box poacher, as he averages 6.55 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, while the current Hammers forward averages just 4.65 in that regard.
Equally, the Brazilian’s superior cutting edge is also showcased by the fact that he averages 1.10 non-penalty goals and 4.01 shots per game, while Antonio averages just 0.18 and 2.14 for those same two metrics respectively.
That should indicate that the potential signing of Pedro could well allow Moyes to finally ditch his long-serving asset this summer.
