It's fair to say that Anthony Modeste's spell in the Premier League was underwhelming to say the least.
The Frenchman was brought in on loan by Steve Kean at Blackburn Rovers in 2012 and didn't get on the scoresheet in nine appearances. Much like many players that came before and after him, he was labelled a flop, and perhaps rightly so.
Yet six years on, it's been a remarkable turnaround for Modeste, who has been on fire this season.
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The 28-year old has netted 22 times in the Bundesliga this season, meaning he is only behind to Bayern Munich frontman Robert Lewandowski and Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the goalscoring charts.
Image: PA
And as well as receiving a mega offer from China, he's also attracting interest from the Premier League.
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West Ham enquired about the former Hoffenheim man in the summer but he signed a bumper new deal with Cologne until 2021.
However, The Mirror say that West Ham will renew their interest in the forward in the summer.
It's common knowledge that the Hammers are still on a search for a top-class forward, with several striker bids unsuccessful in the January transfer window.
Andy Carroll is the favoured choice in attack at the London Stadium and has provided the goods on occasion, but has struggled to maintain fitness at various points in the season.
Image: PA
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Modeste, a powerful 6 foot 2 striker who has come on leaps and bounds technically, as demonstrated this season, and would appear to be a good fit Slaven Bilic's side.
Given the fact he has scored 24 goals in all competitions, Cologne, currently chasing a place in next season's Europa League, will no doubt look for a huge fee in the summer if West Ham do go about trying to sign him once again.
Modeste's meteoric rise
Three years on from his short spell at Blackburn, Modeste's career went from strength to strength. His style of play integrated perfectly with the Bundesliga and he soon found his feet with Hoffenheim, scoring twice on his debut against Nurnberg.
In two seasons with the Kraichgauer, Modeste featured in 62 competitive matches, scoring 23 goals in the process. He earned himself a move to FC Köln, and the 28-year-old has continued to maintain his lethal vein of form.
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According to teammate Timo Horn, he reckons that Modeste is 'better than Robert Lewandowski and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang' as he lingers in the top goalscoring charts with 22 goals.
Cologne goalkeeper Horn was very modest about his teammate: "What Anthony is doing now is comfortably better than his rivals.
"Lewandowski has six or seven chances served on a silver platter every match, but Tony has to make things happen. That is why he is higher in my estimation."
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High praise indeed. What a journey it has been for the French striker, who is now pushing for a place in the national side alongside the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe.
Is he cut out for another crack at the Premier League? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
(h/t Read West Ham)
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Blackburn Rovers, Football, Premier League, West Ham, Bundesliga