Lacina Traoré has been granted a work permit, which should clear through a loan deal to send him to West Ham United for the rest of the season. Traoré’s loan move to West Ham could be the type of unheralded move that saves the Hammers in the ultra-competitive race against relegation. The young Ivorian striker is a highly-rated 6’8’’ target man that combines his height with athleticism and good footwork.
Having just been sold to Monaco for £8.6m by Anzhi on January 4, he has immediately been made available for loan. The Hammers have struggled for goals this season with Andy Carroll injured and many of the recent midfield notable signings have been regularly misfiring.
Sam Allardyce is in a position where he needs to refresh the squad. And in Traoré, he has a player that can push Carroll for playing time while providing sufficient cover if the big Englishman goes down injured again.
Traoré also needs playing time that he is unlikely to get at Monaco in an effort to make the World Cup squad this summer for his Ivory Coast national team. The Ivorian international has committed his future to Monaco signing a four and a half year contract with the well-financed and ambitious club, however the title aspirations of Claudio Ranieri’s squad this season means Traoré’s chances to play were likely to be limited.
West Ham very badly need to not only get new bodies up front but to reverse the negative team spirit around the club the last few months. Allardyce’s men took a major step forward with Saturday’s victory in Cardiff, and the addition of Traoré will only enhance this effort.
Carlton Cole who was released this past summer when West Ham made a permanent transfer for Carroll has also re-signed with the club for 18 months after his temporary deal expired this week. Cole’s performances have gotten gradually stronger as Carroll’s return loomed and he has scored four Premier League goals in the last seven league matches.
Both moves make sense for the Hammers as Allardyce puts together an attacking side capable of avoiding the drop.
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