Nene leads three hitmen West Ham could fill Carroll void with

In their 4-0 defeat to West Brom at the weekend, West Ham delivered what was probably most embarrassing defeat since exiting the competition 5-0 at the hands of Nottingham Forest last year.

And although the effort (or lack of) that the travelling 6,500 witnessed can be put at the door of the whole squad, with Andy Carroll out for the season, and Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho looking somewhat fragile already, a hunt for a free agent striker could be on the cards.

With the transfer window well and truly shut, if the east London outfit are to bring in reinforcements up front, they would need to look at players that are currently unattached.

We take a look at a trio of frontmen that could make the move to the Boleyn in the coming weeks.

Nene – 9/4 to sign

The talk of the papers is that Hammers supremo David Sullivan is in talks to bring the former PSG winger to the capital, in order to appease fans following the lacklustre showing in the West Midlands.

If it is goals that Sam Allardyce wants, he could do far worse with the 32-year-old netting 36 times in 79 appearances for Les Parisiens in a career that has most recently taken him to Qatar.

Antonio Cassano – 10/1 to sign

The veteran Italian striker may have hinted that retirement may be on the cards, after his contract was terminated with Parma in January, but a move to the Premier League could tempt him to extend his career somewhat.

The 39-capped Azzurri international is seen as somewhat of a livewire, but the talent he possesses is clear to see.

He’s netted 111 Serie A goals from 376 appearances to date, and with an explosive burst of pace could still cut it in the Premier League.

Nicolas Anelka – 8/1 to sign

Having worked under Sam Allardyce at Bolton, the Frenchman will know all about the Hammers current boss.

The side were linked to Anelka back in 2012, when the striker was at Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, with Big Sam stating that “it would be of interest”, and brushed aside any concerns over his work-rate that have been suggested.

Recently released by Indonesian Super League side Persija Jakarta, after just 10 days, a spell at a seventh different Premier League club may be on the cards.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £25 in free bets.