Michail Antonio simplifies any West Ham deal for £21m striker – TBR View

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Michail Antonio simplifies any deal West Ham United might want to make for a forward. They’ve reportedly got a chance at a Real Madrid striker.

West Ham United have the chance to sign Mariano Diaz from Real Madrid, according to the Daily Mail. Real would send him there initially on loan, says the report, with a permanent option.

As the Mail says, Diaz joined Real for £21m from Lyon back in 2018. That was actually a return, however, as Diaz had left the club for France just a year earlier.

And although Diaz has spent the vast majority of his career with Real, it’s that year with Lyon that will interest West Ham.

The Spaniard – who has one cap for the Dominican Republic – scored 18 goals in 34 Ligue 1 games. Diaz was fantastic, earning that move back to Madrid.

It hasn’t worked out, of course, but the 27-year-old has never had a proper chance with Los Blancos. He merely has a squad role, rather than a regular spot in the team as he had in France.

Which makes you wonder – could he replicate that 18-goal season with a first-XI role? That’s the big question. It makes Diaz a very tempting risk but, at the end of the day, still a risk.

Fortunately, having Michail Antonio in-form makes taking a risk on a deal like that far easier for West Ham. Antonio is playing well, after all, so the Hammers aren’t in any dire need of a striker.

They could bring Diaz in on loan, then, knowing they’re not entirely reliant on him rediscovering his Lyon form. If he doesn’t, Antonio is still there as the main man. If he does, then the Hammers have added a huge attacking threat to their team.

It would depend on the fee Real want, of course. But if it’s not too high, this might be well worth exploring for West Ham. The upside is great and the risk is reasonably low.