Former Premier League midfielder Jamie Redknapp has claimed that West Ham United should look to sign Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson if Marko Arnautovic leaves the club.
The Austrian has been the subject of intense speculation linking him with a move away from the London Stadium in recent weeks, while Wilson scored the Cherries’ opening goal in their 2-0 win over the Hammers on Saturday.
Redknapp has had his say: “If Marko Arnautovic leaves West Ham, they should do their utmost to bring in Callum Wilson,” he wrote in his Daily Mail column.
“He reminds West Ham fans just how good he is almost every time he plays them, taking his tally to six goals in six games against the club. Of course Bournemouth will fight to keep him, but any offer in excess of £40million would be hard to refuse.”
OPINION
It’s not a bad idea from Redknapp, but whether it’s realistic is another thing. Wilson has been in phenomenal form for Bournemouth this season and appears destined for the upper echelon of the Premier League. That’s where West Ham want to be, of course, but it’s not where they are just yet. So if Wilson decides that he wants to leave Eddie Howe’s side is he really going to want to join the Hammers? Also, £40million likely wouldn’t be enough to bring him in. That sounds ridiculous, but that’s just the state of the transfer market at this moment in time. So while the England international would be a tremendous signing for West Ham if Arnautovic leaves, it’s unlikely that they’d be able to bring him in. It’s a good idea, and he’d be fantastic at the London Stadium, but don’t expect him to be pulling on a claret and blue shirt any time soon.
