£100m-rated striker will join West Ham over Arsenal this week claims top journalist

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West Ham boss Graham Potter and his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta have both admitted they are trying to sign a striker.

It’s no secret of course that London rivals West Ham and Arsenal are both desperate for a new forward in the January transfer window.

Although both managers got shirty with reporters in their latest press conferences over their striker pursuit.

Graham Potter did not like being told West Ham were ‘desperate’ for a new forward – despite the Hammers being without Michail Antonio, Niclas Fullkrug, Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville.

Mikel Arteta bristled when one journalist put words in his mouth that he didn’t see it as ‘essential’ the Gunners sign a new forward after the Gabriel Jesus injury.

Whatever Potter and Arteta say publicly, privately their clubs are leaving no stone unturned as they looks for a striker during this notoriously difficult window.

Arsenal’s desperation is arguably greater given what is potentially at stake for the Gunners in what remains of the season compared to the Hammers.

West Ham’s failure to get their striker signing right in the summer and dithering over Lopetegui has essentially wasted a season.

Arsenal meanwhile are chasing down Liverpool in their bid to challenge for the Premier League title and are still in the Champions League.

West Ham and Arsenal both interested in Ferguson

Although the Gunners face a mountain to climb to make the League Cup final after losing the first leg of their semi-final against Newcastle 2-0 at home.

Arsenal had to sign West Ham’s best player in order to progress as a club.

Now they have been plotting to beat the Hammers to a striker for the same reason.

Both West Ham and Arsenal have been heavily linked with Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.

West Ham confirmed their interest in Ferguson recently but stated a deal looked unlikely as he was currently injured.

That seemed to put Arsenal off too as Arteta’s side have since been linked with other forwards such as Aleksander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Dusan Vlahovic.

There have also been uncertainty over whether Brighton will let Ferguson, once valued at £100m by the Seagulls, leave in January.

£100m-rated striker will join West Ham over Arsenal

The Irishman, who has close links to former Arsenal and West Ham hero Liam Brady, has slipped down the pecking order at the Amex.

We are now entering the final week of the winter window.

It will slam shut next Monday – February 3rd.

So the heat is on both the Irons and Arsenal if they are to bring a new striker in.

West Ham admit they’re having second thoughts about Brian Brobbey – the Dutch striker at Ajax. West Ham only want him on loan with an option but Ajax are insisting on an obligation.

Was the real reason for their hesitation on that deal revealed overnight, though?

Because £100m-rated Ferguson will join West Ham over Arsenal this week claims a top journalist.

Journalist explains why Hammers will beat Gunners to Ferguson

Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath has confirmed Arsenal are ‘long-term admirers’ of Ferguson.

McGrath highlights that while Arsenal would benefit from a striker like Ferguson, they cannot add another Premier League loan unless they change the status of Raheem Sterling or Neto.

The Telegraph man has also claimed the Gunners are watching Yoane Wissa in addition to Sesko and Vlahovic.

‘Brighton’s Evan Ferguson on a six-month loan would be perfect for both clubs’ McGrath says about the mutual interest of West Ham and Arsenal in the Republic of Ireland star.

It is the Hammers who will win the race to sign Ferguson if Fabian Hurzeler lets him leave this week, though, the Telegraph journalist claims.

The key reason for West Ham having the edge over Arsenal is Potter, it is claimed.

McGrath reports that the prospect of a reunion with his former manager on loan could swing it for West Ham over Arsenal and some late interest from Germany.

Potter signed Ferguson and then gave him his debut in English football before leaving for Chelsea.

The inference is that the pair have a fantastic relationship and Ferguson would relish working with Potter again at West Ham.

So it seems if Arsenal are going to bring in a striker, they will have to look elsewhere.