Emerging reports suggest that West Ham target Gerard Deulofeu is available for as little £12.5m this summer.
THE LOWDOWN: BOTH CLUB AND PLAYER KEEN
Calciomercato revealed last month that the Hammers had made a ‘concrete’ approach for the Udinese player and club insider @ExWHUemployee spoke about the 28-year-old could see himself in claret and blue next season.
Speaking on the West Ham Way podcast, Ex said:
“He’s also supposedly good friends with Fornals. He’s keen on him coming.
“He could also play up front as well so he could be another winger that Moyes converts into a striker.
“Apparently Deulofeu is keen on a move as well.”
THE LATEST: INTRIGUING UPDATE
It has now been revealed that the former Watford and Everton man will be available at a cut-price this summer making him all the more appetising for the Hammers.
Journalist Matteo Moretto tweeted on Tuesday morning that the Spaniard will leave Udinese this summer for between £12.5m-15m.
“Deulofeu has taken command of Udinese: 10 goals in the Italian League so far. He will leave in the summer for 15-18 million and if he stays in Italy it is an easy signing at salary level due to tax law: the winger earns 3M net. Teams from the A and the Premier have already asked,” he said.
He currently only earns €3m a year (around £46k-per-week) in Italy due to their tax laws, and that makes him a very attractive prospect for teams like the Irons and Moretto revealed that teams had “already asked” about him in England and Italy.
THE VERDICT: GET IT DONE
At such a reasonable price in the current market, the forward offers extreme value and versatility.
With issues at centre-forward, the two-time u19 European champion could be just what manager David Moyes is looking for.
Mainly deployed through the middle of a front three this term, Deulofeu has grabbed ten goals and two assists for Udinese in the Serie A.
His versatility could be pivotal as West Ham look to bolster their attacking options in the summer.
Andriy Yarmolenko’s contract is up in June and with Jarrod Bowen attracting interest from Liverpool, the Spaniard would be a useful alternative.
AND in other news, “He likes”- Ex reveals 24 y/o West Ham target that Moyes is keen on.