Julen Lopetegui appears to make a massive blunder as he looks to bring a Premier League striker

West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui must buy a top-tier centre-forward this summer.

Julen Lopetegui succeeded David Moyes as West Ham manager in the offseason, and the Spaniard’s top objective for the summer transfer window is thought to be the acquisition of a proven striker.

It’s easy to understand why. Michail Antonio has declined significantly over the last year or so, and the Hammers owners and management team cannot afford to let nostalgia cloud their judgment when it comes to the 34-year-old’s future at the London Stadium.

Sure, he can still play for West Ham as a squad member, but that’s about it. He should be moved on within the next year, and a new striker is badly needed.

Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin appears to be that man, as the club plans to move him this summer.

He will be out of contract in the summer of 2025, therefore the Toffees want to prevent losing him to a free transfer next year.

The Hammers were first connected with a move for Calvert-Lewin in the summer of 2022, when a £60 million deal was proposed for the striker.

According to an exclusive report from Football Transfers, Lopetegui believes the 27-year-old Everton striker is the ‘perfect guy to spearhead his assault’ next season.

I’m sorry, but I don’t believe this for a moment. Youssef En-Nesyri is on a different level than the Toffees striker, and it was only yesterday that the West Ham manager stated that signing the Moroccan this summer is his top goal.

Julen Lopetegui could be set to make big Dominic Calvert-Lewin mistake

Calvert-Lewin is unquestionably a world-class striker when completely healthy. However, I believe we should avoid him like the plague.

First, let’s look at his recent goal scoring record. He scored just eight goals in 38 games last season, and only two in 18 the previous season.

That’s simply not good enough for a so-called top tier Premier League striker is it.

Second, he has missed an unbelievable 410 days of activity for Everton due to injury since the start of the 2021/22 season.

Julen Lopetegui’s striker for West Ham this summer must be both a proven goalscorer and physically sturdy.

As previously stated, I believe that En-Nesyri is the ideal player for the Hammers, and if Lopetegui is unable to acquire him, he should pursue Dominic Solanke or Simon Banza.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is just unfit, and West Ham should avoid him in my opinion.