West Ham's Sam Baldock is amongst the strikers on Blues boss Paul Jewell’s summer wish list. The 23-year-old joined the Hammers from the MK Dons last August for a fee reported to be worth £2.75 million with add-ons.
Despite scoring five goals in his first six starts for the Upton Park club, Baldock has found it increasingly hard to break into Sam Allardyce’s side, particularly since the additions of Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard in January.
While with West Ham he has made 11 starts and 13 sub appearances, scoring those five early goals. For the MK Dons, Aylesbury Vale-born Baldock netted 43 times in 82 starts and 42 games from the bench having come through their youth system.
Due to his lack of opportunities with the Hammers, the 5ft 7in tall striker, whose younger brother George is still with the MK Dons, is likely to be available this summer, either on loan or on a permanent basis. He has three years left on his contract.
The winner of two England caps at the U20 World Cup in Egypt in 2009, Baldock has been on the Blues’ radar for a while. At last November’s Supporters Club AGM, Jewell confirmed that he had been monitored prior to his move to West Ham.
The Blues boss has said that another striker is amongst his summer targets with Tamás Priskin having moved to Alania Vladikavkaz in January and Nathan Ellington set to leave the club.
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