IT IS

surely no coincidence that West Ham are struggling to secure strikers for next season when co-owner David Gold broadcasts their anxiety on national radio. The club are surprised that two £22m offers for the Cologne striker, Anthony Modeste, and Cedric Bakambu of Villarreal have been rejected. ‘It’s clear that we are desperate for centre forwards,’ Gold told talkSPORT. ‘Andy Carroll is injury-prone as we know, and we have had an injury problem with Diafra Sakho, too. Without strikers, you struggle in the premier League.’ And, yes, it could be argued that much is obvious. Tutankhamen was wrapped in fewer bandages than Carroll has been of late and Sakho has played two West Ham games since November. Equally, that a successful team needs a good goalscorer is hardly a bolt from the blue, either. Yet to announce the club is desperate in the middle of the summer transfer window? No wonder the clubs that West Ham approach think they can go higher. Modeste will be 30 in April and £22m seems a decent offer at his age. Bakambu is 26, but only scored 12 goals in all competitions last season. Again, it seems a fair price. Unless, of course, the club on the end of the line announces its desperation as an opening gambit. Is it wise to allow Gold to discuss West Ham’s transfer business? No. But if he ever hosts a poker night it could be well worth getting a seat.