Sky Sports\u2019<\/a> Rob Dorsett last week reported that Union Saint-Gilloise ace David is a West Ham target<\/a>. A potential Niclas Fullkrug<\/a> replacement, at that.<\/p>\n But like the injury-hit German, a January move for David could come about despite, rather than because of, his recent form.<\/p>\n As Belgian football expert Jonathan Lange tells DH<\/a>, the imposing but often-exasperating David can look like the second coming of Romelu Lukaku one minute. The very next, well, he looks less like the Antonio Conte at Inter-era Lukaku, and more like the one whose infamous cameo against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup remains the stuff of any self-respecting centre-forwards\u2019 nightmares.<\/p>\n And given that Fullkrug is only the latest in a long line of expensive striking flops, West Ham United<\/a> would obviously like to avoid another one.<\/p>\n In all competitions this season, Canada international Promise \u2018Tobi\u2019 David has ten goals across 23 matches. <\/p>\n But like his namesake and compatriot \u2013 Jonathan David turned his nose up at West Ham<\/a> before swapping Lille for Juventus last summer \u2013 his radar has been a little off recently. Despite that, the Union SG powerhouse remains a regular in the gossip columns alongside other potential striker targets such as Joshua Zirkzee, Marcos Leonardo, Santiago Gimenez and Kaio Jorge and Ivan Toney<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ivan Toney can save West Ham from relegation. Are there any better options this January? <\/p>\n \ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n \u201cIt may seem a bit strong to talk about a\u00a0\u2018problem\u2019 when referring to a player who has scored 10 goals since the start of the season,\u201d Lange says of a man who netted 24 times in 2024\/25. \u201cBut we saw so many great things from him last season.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if he\u2019s the striker from [last season], running rings around everyone\u00a0like Romelu Lukaku. Or if he\u2019s the one who\u2019s been struggling in certain stretches since the start of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt Galatasaray, he showed a summary of what he could be; decisive but also completely upside down in that match.\u201d<\/p>\n That 1-0 win in Turkey during the Champions League\u2019s opening phase was the 2025\/26 Promise David to a tee. Chances missed, the simple things made to look difficult, yet he still popped up with the only goal of the game.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll never be the best finisher,\u201d Belgian legend Marc Degryse tells Het Laaste Nieuws<\/a>. \u201cHe lacks the finesse and good feet for that. David relies on his body, on scrappy goals. And when he gets into a good groove, everything works out for him.\u201d<\/p>\n David has scored two Champions League goals this season but doubts remain Callum Wilson is SILENCING his critics at West Ham! <\/p>\n Who do YOU think is West Ham’s best-ever bargain signing?<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n Comparisons with Romelu Lukaku are understandable \u2013 a formidable 6ft 5ins frame and a background in Belgian football \u2013 but perhaps a more fitting one would be Brian Brobbey.<\/p>\n Sunderland signed former West Ham target Brobbey<\/a> in a \u00a317 million deal from Ajax last summer. A striker who struggled with the patient possession football of the Dutch giants, though, has been a revelation as the battering ram targetman for a team who like to hit opponents on the break. <\/p>\n A raw talent. Occasionally an exasperating one. But very effective when used in the right way, and when expectations are kept somewhat in check, results may be forthcoming.<\/p>\n \u201cThe challenge at Promise David is to find consistency in his performance,\u201d explains David Hubert, the Union SG head coach speaking to DH<\/a> himself. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s aware of this, although we shouldn\u2019t forget where he comes from. At the beginning of last season, he was nowhere. And although he had a very good period afterward, he remains a young man still in the process. However, he is also someone with exceptional qualities.<\/p>\n \u201cHe can make the difference in a single moment, as we saw against Galatasaray. He has exceptional potential and it\u2019s up to us to make the most of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Canada international has been labelled the \u2018Baby Lukaku\u2019<\/p>\n Reports have indicated that Union SG, who plucked David from Estonian obscurity when signing him from Nomme Kalju FC in 2023, value the Ontario-born 24-year-old at around \u00a317 million.<\/p>\n![\"Union's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2249165966-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by JASPER JACOBS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty ImagesWest Ham United would be taking a risk with Union Saint Gilloise striker Promise David<\/p>\n![\"Toney](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Toney-stats-1024x1024.png\")
Ivan Toney\u2019s Premier League stats. <\/p>\n