Report: West Ham shortlist striker with five goals in six Champions League games

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The Mirror have claimed that West Ham United have shortlisted Borussia Monchengladbach striker Alassane Plea this month, after the Frenchman sparkled in the German’s Champions League group stage campaign.

Plea, 27, has been on fire for Gladbach this season – though his form in European football is so much better than his stats in the Bundesliga. Being used out wide or as a centre-forward, Plea has seven goals and five assists in 18 games.

However, only two of those seven goals have come in the Bundesliga – and that is because Plea has been sensational in the Champions League. He has five goals and four assists in six Champions League outings.

That form has seen Gladbach qualify for the knockout round where they will take on Manchester City. However, Plea might not be there – with West Ham considering a move for Gladbach’s record transfer of £20.5million (BuliNews).

TBR’s view – Plea a good signing, but depends on the cost

Clearly, West Ham need to replace the sale of Sebastian Haller and Plea would be a good signing. But given that he cost Gladbach more than £20million in the summer of 2018, Plea’s value is only likely to have increased.

His hat-trick against Shakhtar Donetsk and his overall form this season will have certainly only seen that figure rise. Does that make him value for money? If they can get him for something in the region of £25million, then yes.

Anything above that, then he becomes somewhat expensive.