West Ham have reignited their bid to sign Norwich City playmaker James Maddison after Manuel Lanzini’s shattering injury, according to the Guardian.
The newspaper claim the London club are firmly in the hunt to land the £20million-valued Championship ace along with Everton, Leicester City and Fulham, while he has also been watched by Liverpool and Tottenham.
The Guardian report that West Ham had a £12million bid for Maddison rejected in January but have revived their interest after Lanzini suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament last week that has ruled him out of the World Cup.
OPINION
West Ham’s need for creative flair has been further emphasised by the cruel injury to Lanzini, which could rule him out for two-thirds of the upcoming season. Given that the Argentine is one of the few players at the club capable of winning a Premier League match with a moment of magic, the Hammers need strengthening in the attacking positions. Coventry academy product Maddison made huge strides last season in a mediocre Norwich side and was one of the outstanding players in the Championship, scoring 15 goals and supplying 11 assists from 49 matches in all competitions from his central attacking midfield role. Aged 21 and capped three times by England at Under-21 level, he is clearly destined for big things. Technically excellent, crafty and mobile, he has the ability to make a big impact at the Premier League and it is no surprise that interest in him is fierce. It will take big money to get him after he signed a four-year Norwich contract last June.
