Three reasons West Ham target Onyekuru can be more influential than Payet

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

According to Sky Sports, West Ham United are the new frontrunners to sign in demand KAS Eupen forward Henry Onyekuru this summer.

The 20-year-old is being targeted by seven Premier League clubs after an outstanding season for the Belgian outfit, and Arsenal were previously said to have been leading the chase for the Nigerian.

However, it is now suggested that the attacker – who has a release clause that means he is available for just £7.85m with wages of £35,000-a-week – will travel to England for talks with the interested sides on Monday, but that the Irons are the favourites to win the race for his signature.

It would represent quite the coup for the Hammers having suffered the disappointment of losing Dimitri Payet – who was such an important and creative player for them – to Marseille during the January transfer window.

Here are three reasons Onyekuru can be more influential than Payet for West Ham…

Goalscoring

Britain Soccer Football – Swansea City v West Ham United – Premier League – Liberty Stadium – 26/12/16 West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet applauds fans after the game Action Images via Reuters / Peter Cziborra Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account represen

While Payet was known for being able to score a goal – he netted nine in the Premier League last season and two in 18 appearances in the first half of the 2016/17 campaign – he could be easily outdone by Onyekuru if the 20-year-old moves to the London Stadium.

The Nigerian forward scored 24 goals in 41 appearances for Eupen this term and that is very impressive considering the majority of those came from the left wing.

If he can bring that sort of form to England, he will be a huge hit among the supporters.

His style of play

For a long time now – and perhaps aside from Michail Antonio in the current team – West Ham have lacked that pace throughout side and players that run at and commit defenders.

The arrival of Onyekuru would certainly change that as he loves to dribble and he has proved this season that he has the end product to match.

While Payet clearly had great ability and was a player that was brilliant on the ball, the 20-year-old certainly has the potential to get more supporters off of their seats.

Mentality

Britain Football Soccer – West Ham United v Manchester United – Premier League – London Stadium – 2/1/17 West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet shakes the hand of West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic after he is substituted off Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/pla

When Payet first came to West Ham and during his spell with the Irons, he knew that he was the main man in the team and perhaps that ego took over at points – especially towards the end of his time at the London Stadium.

It will be a complete different story if Onyekuru arrives as he knows he isn’t yet the finished article, and that means that he should have a closer relationship with the supporters.

If the 20-year-old signs a long-term deal, he can prove to be more influential than his French predecessor.

Do you agree, Irons fans? Let us know below.