Joel Pohjanpalo bargain release clause emerges as West Ham United eye Gianluca Scamacca and Michail Antonio replacements
Joel Pohjanpalo has a release clause in his Venezia contract of just €4million [£3.4m] and West Ham could come back in for him “with conviction”, according to Tutto Mercato Web.
The Italian outlet reported on their website Tuesday (8 August) that in light of Gianluca Scamacca’s move to Atalanta “in particular, West Ham should be kept in mind” with regards to Finnish international Pohjanpalo moving before the window shuts.
Although there have apparently not been any signals from the Serie B side or the 28-year-old to suggest they are planning a move on their end The Mirror reported on their website on 2 August that the Irons were considering him as a replacement for another exit-linked striker in Michail Antonio.
Scamacca’s departure after one season was confirmed on Monday (7 August) and Antonio has been looking to leave since at least January, while there have also been questions over the long-term future of Danny Ings at the London Stadium.
Deals to be done
A forward from the Italian second tier is unlikely to get pulses racing about the West Ham fanbase right now but given how little success the club has had in paying big money for headline strikers maybe it is time for a different approach.
Pahjanpalo does have 16 international goals to his name and has scored at a reasonable rate in both the Bundesliga and the Turkish Super Lig.
His 19 league strikes in Serie B last term, to go with seven assists, are solid numbers but probably don’t compare to the Premier League.
But David Moyes is going to need options with one already gone in Scamacca, who has joined Sebastien Haller as big-money flops at the London Stadium, and Antonio possibly following.
Given how much of a struggle the Hammers have found it to get deals over the line so far this summer there is something to be said for one of their targets having a release clause that amounts to a drop in the ocean in terms of the money they are making from sales in this window.
West Ham would surely need another goalscorer in addition but this could be a quick deal to get done soon after Edson Alvarez, since the club need to start charging through their remaining business in the three and a half weeks that are left.
In other West Ham news, a Hammers target’s current club could help pay the wages involved after a move to the London Stadium.
