West Ham eye move for £20m Ligue 1 star to fill the void left by Antonio and Fullkrug's absences - report
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West Ham United are intensifying their efforts to bolster their attack and have now added OGC Nice striker Evann Guessand to their extensive shortlist, the Daily Mail reports.
The 23-year-old has caught the Hammers' attention following an impressive first half of the season, netting nine goals, including three in his last four outings.
West Ham scouts monitored Guessand closely throughout November and December, even before injuries to Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug highlighted the need for reinforcements.
His performances haven’t gone under the radar, with French sports publication L’Equipe naming him in their team of the season so far.
However, prising Guessand away from Nice this month could be tricky. The French club is firmly in contention for a Champions League spot, and Guessand has been their standout player.
He also signed a new contract in August, keeping him tied to Nice until the summer of 2028, so the French side are under no immediate pressure to sell.
While Nice is reluctant to part ways with their star striker, reports claim offers exceeding £20 million may force them to reconsider.
It remains to be seen if the Hammers will formalise their interest with a bid, but Guessand is a prominent option on their extensive shortlist.
West Ham will face competition from Premier League rivals
West Ham will have to move quickly if they want to get a deal for Guessand over the line, although negotiations with Nice will be far from straightforward.
According to the report, Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur are also closely monitoring the Ivory Coast international and could scupper West Ham’s plans to lure him away from Nice this month.
Bournemouth have lost Evanilson and Enes Unal to long-term injuries, leaving them short on attacking options heading into the second half of the season.
Tottenham are also keen to bolster their ranks and are on the market for a decent striker to provide competition for Dominic Solanke.
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