West Ham’s 2016/17 has been a disaster thus far. The Hammers entered the campaign riding high after a great 2015/16 and with Dimitri Payet in the ranks fresh from his EURO 2016 heroics, many Irons supporters were predicting another push to challenge for the top four.

Yet, we’re now 13 games into the campaign and the Hammers sit just one spot above the relegation zone after a horrible loss to London rivals Spurs – who scored two late goals to turn a 2-1 win into a 3-2 loss for the men in claret and blue – on the weekend. On top of this, Europa League dreams were dashed at the qualification stage by Astra Giurgiu (again) and the move to the swanky former Olympic Stadium in Stratford has been… well… not a success.

Perhaps most worrying for Slaven Bilic on the pitch is his side’s lack of potency up front. Despite spending big over the summer, the club’s relentless (and sometimes embarrassing) pursuit of a top-class centre-forward ended in disappointment, with Simone Zaza the only genuine recruit. Andre Ayew can play in the role, but the Ghana ace has been injured and is more of a false nine than a real option.

So, it seems the coming window will once again be used to chase a striker, and The Sun are claiming the man they want in Juventus’ Croatia international Mario Mandzukic. We at FFC Towers think he’s the perfect addition for the Hammers, and here are FIVE reasons why…

Bilic link

Although it’s an extreme generalisation to think everyone hailing from the same country will get along like a house on fire, Mandzukic and Bilic have previous in terms of working together in the Croatian national set-up. The now Hammers boss coached his national team between 2006 and 2012, in which time the now 30-year-old striker made his senior debut (2007) and went on to establish himself in the team.

With a previous working relationship to call upon, both player and manager should, in theory, be able to hit the ground running in January, which is essential for the Hammers’ season and generally a factor needed for mid-season signings to be a success.

Goals!

With just 13 goals in twelve games, its little wonder West Ham are teetering just above the relegation zone. The Irons are currently 14th in the scoring charts – with the teams below them (Southampton aside) widely touted as the relegation battlers this season – while Michail ‘headers’ Antonio is the Irons’ top scorer with six goals. Further to this, no West Ham player whose official position is striker has found the net in any competition.

Mandzukic, then, appears to be a tailor-made solution to theses issues, with the front-man having reached double figures in terms of league goals in each of his full seasons between 2011/12 and 2015/16, despite playing in three different countries for four different clubs in that time. In short, he finds the back of the net.

Experience

The last thing West Ham need is a player overawed by the situation they’re in, with a continued inability to find the net likely to see them dragged towards the trapdoor over the remainder of the season. Although not used to relegation fights, Mandzukic boasts a wealth of experience with over 70 international caps to his name, while he’s also won league titles in his homeland, Germany and Italy, as well as the Champions League.

Essentially, he knows how to get the job done, and West Ham need a player who can stand up and be counted at the moment – especially after that worrying capitulation against Spurs.

Useless West Ham strikers

Simone Zaza has been a disaster of a signing. Andy Carroll spends more time on the treatment table than the pitch. Jonathan Calleri is already looking like a gamble that won’t pay off. Diafra Sakho’s mentality and fitness are questionable. Ashley Fletcher is still a rookie option.

Basically, West Ham have a lack of effective options up front. There’s every chance Zaza will be shipped back to Juventus mid-season while Calleri may have a similar fate amid suggestions teams in Spain want him on loan and Carroll cannot be relied upon. Another option is needed.

Mandzukic should be keen to move

Even the most ardent of Hammers fans will admit leaving Juventus for West Ham is a step down, but the move should appeal to Mandzukic. Indeed, the well-travelled forward is behind mega-money summer signing Gonzalo Higuain and the energetic and impressive Paulo Dybala in the Old Lady’s pecking order, and with the Turin side likely to hoover up another top striker over the coming transfer windows, it may be time to get out now (well, this winter).