West Ham United are plotting a late move for PAOK striker Chuba Akpom, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claim on their website that Hammers’ officials scouted the 23-year-old in a friendly against Fortuna Sittard in which he scored four goals.
The Daily Mail report that Akpom impressed West Ham, who are now plotting a late bid for the £5million-rated forward.
West Ham are said to have been tracking the youngster ever since he left Arsenal, and are joined by Rennes and Mainz in the hunt for his signature.
Akpom held PAOK to their first Greek title in 34 years last season, scoring six goals and assisting a further four in 20 appearances.
OPINION
This is the type of signing that West Ham have surely set their sights on. The club-record signing of Sebastien Haller surely left the budget looking slightly empty, and the fact that Akpom is suggested to be rated at only £5million makes him the perfect looking addition to add firepower the Hammers’ front line. The 23-year-old decided to take the plunge and move to PAOK after failing to make an impact at Arsenal, but the experience he has gained during his club’s title-winning season is surely set to stand him in good stead to return to the Premier League. His pace and flair would be perfect in-and-around Haller, whose physicality could see Akpom thrive on loose balls. The young forward only scored six league goals, and would be expected to be an impact player at the London Stadium should he move – surely meaning he would need to improve his scoring record if he was to impress Manuel Pellegrini. Akpom has only played 27 minutes in the English top-flight and would surely be determined to do better this time around. Pellegrini could pull off a masterstroke if he was to complete a move for Akpom, with his vote of confidence in the youngster surely enough to see him thrive in his second opportunity.
