West Ham Transfers: 5 Strikers Needed To Avert Relegation

3. Demba Ba

Alternatively, we could see a man frozen out of things travel across London and find himself back at his first English club. Back in January 2011, Ba looked like he was on his way to Stoke for a reported £7.1 million from German side Hoffenheim, but as that deal collapsed, he found himself at Upton Park signing a three year contract to play in the famous claret and blue shirt. Four months later he was gone. Avram Grant's side had been relegated which triggered a release clause that allowed Ba to move away- eventually to Newcastle However, this was not before he had made a telling impact in West Ham's bid to avoid the dreaded trapdoor. His 7 goals in 12 games ensured that he was the Hammers' top scorer that season including two in his first full game. Now, he's entrenched in a battle with Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o to become Chelsea's focal point up front and it's one he's losing this season as he's only played 281 minutes of Premier League football this season compared to Torres who has chalked up 884 and Eto'o's haul of 639. At 28, it can be argued that he's in the prime years of his career, but sitting on the bench and overlooked isn't the way to spend it. If the Daily Express is to believed, a bid for Ba is on the horizon, but Allardyce must be quick to act before it's too late and others manage to snap him up.