Hammers targeting Manchester United Starlets to solve scoring woes?

The Telegraph is reporting that West Ham are interested in bringing in Anthony Martial and/or Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. Rashford and Martial are two of the Premier League’s top talents, having broken through under Louis van Gaal last year.

The article goes on to state that West Ham’s main target, bringing in Chelsea’s new signing Michy Batshuayi on loan, is a no go after being shot down by Antonio Conte. In addition to Batshuayi, the article claims Daniel Sturridge is on the Hammer’s radar, though it seems unlikely Jurgen Klopp would allow such a move to take place.

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Speaking of unlikely, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Jose Mourinho allows either Rashford or Martial leave the club, even temporarily. Neither young forward has hit the heights of last season, but both have still been crucial players for the Red Devils.

Martial has played 16 games, and scored 4 goals, including two against the irons in the League Cup. Rashford, meanwhile, has already surpassed his games played total for last year, with 22 appearances. The young Englishman has scored 4 times this year, despite starting in an unfamiliar wide position.

Still, the possibility remains that one or even both of the players are frustrated by recent time spent outside of the first eleven. Rashford, who hasn’t started since November 27th, has lost his spot in the starting lineup to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata, while Martial has struggled with injuries this season, and hasn’t been able to get a consistent run of games.

The article also states that while Slaven Bilic would prefer a Premier League player should these deals fall through, and a move for Laurent Depoitre of Porto is being considered. Depoitre has struggled for game time and form with the Portuguese giants since arriving from Gent in the summer, starting only 10 games, and finding the back of the net twice.

The final player linked is Gregoire Defrel, who has been a crucial player for Sassuolo in the absence of Domenico Berardi. With 10 goals this season, he’s certainly the most in form player linked, but again, the small issue of actually convincing the other team to sell remains.

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Should these links prove to be true, they show an impressive ambition to improving the team from the front office, but one handicapped by a little bit of delusion. Still, the Hammers have other issues to solve in addition to their striker woes, and a bargain deal or a loan might allow us to spend greater funds on a right back or a midfielder. It’s unlikely, but it’s certainly worth a try.