By the end of August, Hull City looked as if they may have pulled off one of the signings of the summer.

Indeed, having signed Oscar Estupinan on a free transfer following his contract expiring with Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes, nobody could quite believe it when the Colombian started the season in red hot form.

For example, in his first six games for Hull, Estupinan netted seven goals, which included a hat-trick against Coventry City on August 27th, leaving Tigers fans excited about the bargain they had got themselves.

Then, though, things hit a stumbling block as the Colombian adjusted to life in England, netting just one goal in his next 14 Championship appearances.

It must be stressed, though, that Hull as a team were struggling massively during this period, and that in recent weeks, Estupinan has began to find his goalscoring boots once again.

Indeed, the 26-year-old has netted four goals in his last four, earning crucial draws with Blackpool and Huddersfield, as well as an important three points over Birmingham City with those goals.

Interestingly, this has taken his tally to 12 goals for the campaign, and has reportedly alerted Premier League club's to his talents.

Last week, for example, Colombian outlet Las2Orillas reported that Everton had the 26-year-old EFL forward on their radar.

Meanwhile, further reports today from outlet AS, via SportWitness, have suggested that fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton and Nottingham Forest are also potentially keen on snapping up Estupinan this January.

Now, whilst signing an unproven player at Premier League level to score goals would be a gamble for these sides, it could well be a gamble for whoever is brave enough to take a punt on the Hull City man.

All of the above clubs could do with a goalscorer.

 

 

Southampton have Che Adams on 8 goals, but their second highest scoring forward has just two goals to his name all season.

Everton's top scorer has just five goals for the campaign and is a winger.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest are seemingly looking to offload Emmanuel Dennis this month and will need someone to come in and replace him should he move on.

Given all three clubs are involved in a relegation battle, they surely won't want to spend big this month, and that's where Estupinan could come in.

Previous reports mentioned above state that Hull value the forward at 6 million euros, which could be a steal for one of the Premier League trio.

Not only will he not cost much, but Estupinan has already adapted and shown he can score goals in England, as well as having a decent goal record prior to his arrival.

For example, back in Portugal's top flight last campaign, the striker netted 15 times in 28 league appearances, which is an impressive return in one of Europe's highly-rated leagues.

Those goals, along with his Championship efforts really do suggest that he could perhaps have a positive impact in terms of goalscoring in the Premier League, too, or that he is at least worth the gamble in trying to do so.

Ultimately, then, all of the above clubs need a striker that can come in, hit the ground running and go on a purple patch between now and the end of the season in an attempt to keep their respective side in the Premier League.

Estupinan has shown this season that when he gets going, he is capable of putting a run of goals together, and given his record of finding the back of the net in the Portuguese top flight last season, too, both facts suggest he could well be worth a punt for one of Everton, Southampton or Nottingham Forest this January.

Whilst it would undoubtedly be a gamble, given their current predicaments, it could well be one that paid off for whoever does bring the Colombian in.