West Ham United are one of several European clubs set to battle for FSV Mainz 05 striker Jonathan Burkardt, BILD reports.
Signing a striker is at the top of West Ham’s to-do list in the summer, and their interest in Burkardt is certainly intriguing.
The German international has been in fantastic form for Mainz this season, spearheading their remarkable push for Champions League football with 14 goals and three assists in 20 Bundesliga games.
The Hammers are in desperate need of a long-term solution to their problems at the top end of the pitch, and Burkardt could be a smart addition to Graham Potter’s squad.
However, as promising as he looks on paper, West Ham need to move with a degree of caution, given the player’s eye-catching injury record.
West Ham are heavily short-handed in the centre-forward position.
Michail Antonio is recovering from a life-threatening injury, and at 34, he’d hardly be of any use to the Hammers when he returns.
Danny Ings has struggled to justify his wages, and Niclas Fullkrug is an excellent example of why the Hammers should be wary of Burkardt’s injury record before making their move.
The 32-year-old has only played 11 times for West Ham across all competitions since his £27 million move from Borussia Dortmund and has spent a large chunk of the season in the infirmary.
Signing Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in January was only a temporary solution to a long-term issue, but the Irish striker has also struggled to get going.
West Ham need a prolific striker to lead the line, and Burkardt has the profile of a player who could thrive in Potter’s system, but his woeful injury record cannot be swept under the rug.
He has missed seven games due to injuries this season. He missed 11 for club and country last term, which came after a 41-game absence in 2022/23 after undergoing knee surgery.
His injury record is a major red flag, especially when considering the intensity of English football.
Mainz are reportedly demanding €50m (£42.5m) for Burkardt – a steep price for a huge gamble that could come back to haunt the Hammers.
If West Ham are willing to take that risk, they’d be wise to hedge their bet by making sure the deal includes performance-based clauses.