Insider: West Ham likely to sign new striker in late-window move
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West Ham are expected to complete a deal to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes, according to the club’s former scout.
Mick Brown, who worked as a senior scout at the London Stadium before leaving alongside David Moyes in June and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that they are working hard behind the scenes to complete a deal.
With less than two weeks remaining before the 3 February deadline, the Hammers are now set to step up their efforts with formal bids expected.
It has been said there is now pressure on Tim Steidten to assist Graham Potter in the market.
This comes after reports claimed Aston Villa have turned down a club-record West Ham offer of £57million Jhon Duran and will hold out for a fee of £80million to see him leave this month.
West Ham have now made their intentions clear in the closing stages of the window, and if a deal for Duran cannot be reached, they will quickly move on to other targets.
Brown previously told Football Insider that the club are preparing to step up their interest in Brighton’s Evan Ferguson to help resolve their striker issues.
West Ham set to make formal offer to sign new striker
Football Insider revealed on 21 January that West Ham are keen to seal two signings to back Potter before the end of the transfer window.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment including over a decade at Man United during their most successful period insisted that the club are prepared to move quickly to land key targets in the coming weeks.
“It’s definitely their priority to bring in a striker,” he told Football Insider.
“I think a new striker was needed anyway, but the Antonio and Fullkrug injuries have made it more urgent.
“Potter has walked into the club and found himself without a natural centre-forward.
“He’s been forced to play Paqueta there, which is not his fault.
“But now the sporting director has to do his job and bring in a new option for him. The pressure is on him now to deliver for the new manager.
“There are a few irons in the fire, from what I’ve heard, and I think they’re going to have to make a move soon because there isn’t long left in the window.
“I would expect offers to be made sooner rather than later because if they don’t, what does that say to Potter about their support for him?”
In other news, insider shares new update on Ansu Fati to West Ham.
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The post Insider: West Ham likely to sign new striker in late-window move appeared first on Football Insider.
