West Ham United could be regretting their decision not to secure the services of 21-year-old center-forward Gift Orban this transfer window.
Despite keen interest from West Ham and other Premier League clubs, it appears that the Nigerian forward is poised to move to Lyon for a reported fee of £10 million, even though he had expressed an interest in joining a Premier League side.
The atmosphere at West Ham is currently unsettled, particularly following their recent FA Cup defeat to Bristol City. Injuries to key players are beginning to take a toll, and the club might come to rue their failure to pursue the signing of Orban more vigorously.
While West Ham has enjoyed a commendable season on paper, advancing to the Europa League knockout stages and holding the sixth position in the Premier League, there have been worrying performances, including heavy defeats to Fulham and Liverpool in the EFL Cup.
The acquisitions of James Ward-Prowse and Mohammed Kudus had been widely acclaimed, but the loss of Kudus to the African Cup of Nations presents a significant setback. Moreover, injuries to Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, and concerns about Michail Antonio’s fitness have left West Ham with limited attacking options.
Amidst these circumstances, it appears to be a missed opportunity for West Ham to have abstained from signing Orban, who, despite not replicating his previous season’s form, would have offered a promising long-term option for the club at a reasonable fee.
The 21-year-old’s goal-scoring prowess, with 20 goals for KAA Gent last season, coupled with his overall abilities, could have provided an excellent alternative in West Ham’s attack. Notably, Orban’s potential availability was a low-risk, high-reward prospect for a club seeking to bolster its attacking options.
Although the opportunity with Orban appears to have slipped away, it is understood that another striker might be under consideration by West Ham, indicating the club’s acknowledgment of the need to reinforce their attacking contingent promptly.
Ultimately, West Ham’s decision regarding Orban may prove to be a misstep, particularly considering the existing limitations in their forward line. As a result, the club is left to closely monitor Orban’s progress at Lyon while actively exploring other avenues to enhance their attacking options.