West Ham are ‘interested’ in Stade Reims striker Hugo Ekitike but the 19-year-old is gaining admirers from several clubs ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
What’s the latest?
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the Hammers are among a number of clubs eyeing the France u20 international.
The report claims that Roma are keen on the £18m-rated teenager and his performances have also ‘attracted the interest’ of several Premier League clubs.
Reims are said to have ‘fended off assaults’ from Newcastle while West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham are ‘also interested’ in the youngster.
The Hammers tabled a £21m bid for the Reims talisman back in January but the French club were said to be holding out for £25m upfront plus add-ons.
Long-term solution
Considering how Michail Antonio has only scored once in the Premier League since New Year’s Day and recently came under criticism from his manager David Moyes after being substituted in the 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, an alternative at centre-forward is needed in East London.
The 6 foot 2 striker has shone in Ligue 1 this season with nine goals and three assists in 21 appearances and has been labelled an “outstanding talent” by transfer insider Graeme Bailey.
Ekitike ranks sixth in the division for goal-creating actions per 90 minutes in front of the likes of Neymar and Angel Di Maria and boats the second-best goal-to-shot ratio in France this season.
This hot prospect would be sure to catapult West Ham into European contention year after year and with Antonio ageing, there is no time like the present to invest in that area.
Not to mention the fact that the club have failed to provide the 31-year-old with any sort of backup for over two years now. It has become a major issue in the current playing squad.
At a reasonable price in today’s market, Ekitike can be brought to the London Stadium and Moyes’ desperate search for a new number nine could be forgotten about, at long last.
AND, in other news, Moyes could finally axe £22m West Ham flop in swoop for “fearless” 6 ft 4 colossus
