Julen Lopetegui has reportedly identified the forward he wants West Ham to pursue in January, according to sources at CaughtOffside.
The Spaniard has faced a challenging start as West Ham boss, made tougher by a long-term injury to summer signing Niclas Fullkrug. This setback has forced Michail Antonio back into the role of leading the Hammers’ attack.
Several forwards have been linked with a move to East London, including Fotis Ioannidis from Panathinaikos, Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis, and PAOK’s Stefanos Tzimas.
However, it is Hertha Berlin’s Ibrahim Maza who has particularly caught Lopetegui’s attention. The 18-year-old has impressed this season, with his profile said to align well with West Ham’s long-term vision and the demands of the Premier League.
Maza, an emerging talent for Hertha Berlin, has netted four goals and provided two assists this season, marking a breakthrough campaign for the Algerian international.
The young forward predominantly operates as a No.10 but is adaptable, able to play as a winger on either flank or as a striker, making him an ideal fit for Lopetegui, who is looking to strengthen his attacking options and increase squad depth.
Given Maza’s versatility, it wouldn’t be surprising if West Ham also looked to bring in a more traditional striker during the winter window.
This would provide further support to Antonio and Danny Ings and alleviate some of the pressure on them, especially if Maza needs time to adjust to Premier League football.
CaughtOffside’s report suggests Maza could be available for around £21m. While this might seem steep for an 18-year-old in Germany’s second tier, interest from Brentford and Leicester City may push West Ham to act swiftly to secure his signature.
The January window could be crucial for West Ham as they look to bolster their attack and relieve the burden on their established forwards.