As if comparisons with Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland weren’t enough, a striker reportedly on West Ham United’s January wishlist is now being mentioned alongside two Serie A icons; Christian Vieira and Luca Toni.
Upton Park legend Harry Redknapp wants a centre-forward during the January transfer window.
With patience in Niclas Fullkrug running out, he is not the only one demanding winter additions even before the Halloween masks hit the shelves and Leatherface is revving his chainsaw.
There were reports of a Fullkrug – Graham Potter fall-out during their brief, eight-month spell together in East London. When the big-money centre-forward is publicly – and swearily – lambasting the performance of the manager’s team, it doesn’t really need reiterating that this is a man feeling the frustration.
Yet, thrown back into the starting XI by Nuno Espirito Santo in West Ham United’s first outing post-Potter, Fullkrug hardly justified his inclusion with another anonymous display against Everton. With the other option being a 33-year-old Callum Wilson, it’s no wonder the Hammers fans are clamouring for Callum Marshall while counting down the days until the New Year.
Parma’s 6ft 4ins sky-scraper Mateo Pellegrino was linked with West Ham this week, via Tuttosport.
And while he cannot boast a scoring streak capable of emulating Erling Haaland just yet – Pellegrino has five goals in eight games this season but only two in Serie A – his giant frame and formidable presence have led to comparisons with Man City’s near-unstoppable number nine.
Though Emiliano Bonazzoli, speaking to Parma Live, looks a little closer to home in search of similarities. Pellegrino, he says, has shades of Christian Vieri and Luca Toni.
West Ham United-linked Mateo Pellegrino earns Christian Vieri and Luca Toni comparisons
Bonazzoli watched Pellegrini rise highest at the back post – using every inch of his 192 centre-metre frame – to power in the winner against Torino last weekend.
It was a goal which reminded the one-time Parma favourite of two strikers who accumulated a trio of Serie A Golden Boots between them.
“I think he has a lot of room for improvement, given that he only arrived in Italy last year [from Velez Sarsfield] and has already put in a series of positive performances,” Bonazzoli says of 23-year-old Pellegrino, a Spanish-Italian forward who spent time in the academies of Valencia and Inter Milan.
“This year, with Bonny’s departure [to Inter], he’s now the starting striker on paper and he’s repaying the coach and club’s faith in him. He’s a striker who’s improving and has a lot of room for improvement.
“He has the qualities of a [traditional] striker. Excellent in the air, at protecting the ball, at moving the team forward, at acting as an outlet, and he’s also quite clean in his execution. He can help create a fluid attacking build-up, also bringing more pace.
“Vieri, a slightly more powerful striker, or Toni come to mind.
“It’s certainly a long road to get to these two players, because they were truly top players. But let’s just say that, given his youth and the desire and hunger that are evident when he plays, I think he has great potential.”
Pellegrino is reportedly a target for Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest
Former Bayern Munich poacher Toni, who also stands at 6ft 4ins, broke the 20-goal barrier four times in Serie A with Palermo, Fiorentina and Hellas Verona respectively.
Vieri, meanwhile, became the world’s most expensive footballer when leaving Lazio for Inter for £32 million back in 1999.
As Bonazzoli points out, Pellegrino has a long way to go to match those sky-high standards. He has scored only five goals in 18 Serie A appearances so far.
But with Tuttosport claiming that West Ham have been joined by Roma, Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and Nuno’s old employers Nottingham Forest in watching the striker closely, Parma are not the only ones who believe they have something special on their hands.
“If a ball flies high into the box, I won’t hold back. [I want] a header and a goal,” Pellegrino told Gazzetta dello Sport recently.
“What kind of guy am I? A simple person who works hard every day to improve and who has a clear goal in mind. My season’s goal target? I will say 12-15.”
Cruzeiro talisman Kaio Jorge has been mentioned too in recent times. Brazil international Jorge played down those West Ham rumours last week, though.
In any sense, while Hammers News can confirm that Nuno Espirito Santo has discussed January plans already with the board, much will depend on the funds available. Parma reportedly value Pellegrino at around £25 million.
