Got a striker? West Ham use ‘begging letter’ to seek loan deals

London: West Ham United have sent a ‘begging letter’ to the Premier League’s top clubs ahead of next month’s transfer window as part of a desperate bid to boost their squad.

They have made specific inquiries about Michy Batshuayi, Daniel Sturridge, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial as they try to land a striker on loan, but have also issued a more general plea to the leading clubs.

Letters have been sent by West Ham, 13th in the table in a season that has been one of great disappointment so far, to Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United asking whether they have any strikers, full-backs or central defenders they would be prepared to loan next month. West Ham are also interested in Chris Smalling, Branislav Ivanovic, Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinson, who has already spent two previous spells on loan with them.

The inquiries for the likes of Rashford, Martial and Smalling are more in hope than expectation, but West Ham feel it is worth asking before moving on to more realistic, targets. Hull City, Swansea City and Aston Villa are also interested in Jenkinson, but West Ham could rival them for a loan switch if they are unsuccessful with other moves.

— Matt Law, The Daily Telegraph