Could Hernandez departure allow Silva to make first-team breakthrough at West Ham?

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West Ham United have officially sold Javier Hernandez to Sevilla for a reported fee of around £8 million (Sky Sports).

The Hammers have cashed in for half their initial £16 million investement (BBC Sport), with Hernandez having made 63 appearances for the club, scoring 17 goals.

The Mexico international leaves the club after two seasons, meaning the Irons have now seen all of their strikers from last season depart.

Hernandez follows Marko Arnautovic, Andy Carroll and Lucas Perez out the door, with Manuel Pellegrini having signed Sebastien Haller and youngster Albian Ajeti in the summer.

Some West Ham supporters have expressed their concerns about the sale of Hernandez given the apparent lack of cover up top.

Perhaps though, Hernandez leaving could open the door for 22-year-old Xande Silva.

TBR’s view

Silva was given a taste of first-team action last season, with Pellegrini handing him one cameo appearance in the Premier League against Burnley and one in the FA Cup against Birmingham City.

With Hernandez now out of the picture and the first-team looking slightly light in attack, perhaps Pellegrini could turn to Silva once he returns to full fitness in October (according to the reliable ExWHUemployee).

Silva has proven he has a real eye for goal with the U23s (last term he scored seven goals in eight PL2 appearances), and has the ability to play as a central striker despite being a natural winger.

Haller will obviously be the main man and Ajeti his backup, but the Irons may need to call on somebody else as the season wears on – and the promising Silva could be that man.