Big Sam says he tried to sign Chelsea striker.<a href=’fanatix://eventid/51c18657034c7dfe27000030/’ class=’in-app-event-link’>Check in to West Ham United vs Everton</a>
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has revealed that he attempted to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku “all summer” before missing out on his signature to Everton – West Ham’s opponents this weekend, Sky Sports reports.
The Upton Park outfit have failed to score in either of their two Barclay’s Premier League encounters since the 2-0 opening day victory over Cardiff City as record signing Andy Carroll has been missing with a long standing heel injury.
Lukaku was brought in by Everton boss Roberto Martinez on transfer deadline day on a season-long loan from Chelsea after impressing in a similar spell at West Brom last year that saw him notch up 17 goals.
The young Belgian forward will be in the Everton squad to face the Hammers this weekend an Allardyce has spoken out over his disappointment at not being able to bring him on board.
“I chased him all summer to be honest,” said Allardyce. “But when it became the final day of the deadline we missed out and Everton managed to secure his position.
“We were more or less told he was going back to West Brom. We tried, but didn’t manage to clinch it.”
However, there is some good news for Big Sam, as new signing Mladen Petric looks closer to making his debut for the side after arriving on a free transfer at the beginning of September.
Petric has been pencilled in to face Cardiff in the Capital One Cup next week as the former Fulham man works on his fitness after missing pre-season following his exit from Craven Cottage.
“Mladen Petric is training every day and trying to overcome the every day fatigue. He is going through a pre-season and that leaves you tired,” he said.
“We’re then waiting to find his recovery is quicker and he’s into the football as well as the physical side. He’s enjoying being back with a group of players he can mingle with rather than being stuck in a park or gym.
“We’re hoping he can make an appearance in or around for the Cardiff game [on Tuesday night].”