Report: West Ham could now sign £14m striker who previously scored four goals in 19 games under Lopetegui
01/05/2025 03:15 PM
Julen Lopetegui needs some attacking reinforcements at West Ham in the January transfer window.
The Spaniard lost Michail Antonio to injury after the Jamaica international broke his leg in a freak car accident, before Jarrod Bowen also joined the list of absentees after fracturing his foot in the 5-0 defeat against Liverpool.
If the Hammers fail to bolster their frontline this month, it could lead to a nervy end to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, with West Ham currently sitting just seven points above the relegation zone.
TBR Football understand West Ham have asked about Evan Ferguson as Brighton consider loaning the Irish striker out, although the Irons have now added another forward to the shortlist in Hwang Hee-chan.
West Ham monitoring Hwang Hee-chan
The Telegraph have now revealed that West Ham are considering a move to sign the Wolves No.11 this month.
Hwang – who Wolves signed from RB Leipzig for £14m back in January 2022 – and Lopetegui know each other well, having previously worked together at Molineux.
The South Korea international was hardly prolific under the Spaniard, scoring just four goals in 19 appearances under his guidance in the Midlands.
Despite that, West Ham are weighing up a move for the man born in Chuncheon, although the aforementioned Ferguson and Middlesbrough No.9 Emmanuel Latte Lath are also on the shortlist.
The Telegraph add that West Ham would ideally like to bring players in on loan this month rather than commit to any permanent signings, although that could change if funds are raised by sales.
Evan Ferguson seems likeliest to join West Ham
In regards to the fact West Ham are prioritising loan deals, we feel Ferguson is the most likely striker to arrive at the London Stadium.
It seems highly unlikely that Wolves would be willing to loan out Hwang – who almost joined Marseille in 2024 – as Vitor Pereira aims to drag the Old Gold away from the relegation zone.
Similar can be said for Middlesbrough and Latte Lath, as Michael Carrick currently has Boro firmly in the race for promotion, sitting fifth in the Championship at this moment in time.
Therefore – out of the three strikers – Ferguson seems the most likely to join West Ham.
