Chelsea have dealt West Ham a Hammer blow in the race for the “world’s most promising no.9 striker” after a big update on star’s future.
Just over a week ago West Ham were said to be “frontrunners” to sign Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
But as with so many clubs and so many transfers over the last year, Chelsea are a serious problem.
Many Hammers fans were hoping transfer dealings between West Ham and Arsenal were not over in this summer transfer window amid the links to Balogun.
According to the likes of Football.London, West Ham have been showing genuine interest in bringing talented Gunners ace Balogun to the London Stadium from Arsenal. But vague Chelsea interest has also lurked in the shadows.
Chelsea deal West Ham a Hammer blow in race for “world’s most promising no.9 striker” Folarin Balogun after big update on Arsenal star’s future
West Ham, though, were reportedly frontrunners ahead of the likes of Inter Milan for the 22-year-old US international.
With Gianluca Scamacca gone and Michail Antonio possibly on the way out too, there’s no doubt West Ham need to sign a striker before the transfer deadline.
And Chelsea are also on the hunt for a new forward after the injury which has sidelined new arrival Christopher Nkunku.
That has seen both the Hammers and Chelsea vying for the same transfer target in the shape of Elye Wahi. It has also seen West Ham reportedly approach the Blues once again over Armando Broja.
Now Chelsea have dealt West Ham a Hammer blow in the race for the “world’s most promising no.9 striker” Balogun after a big update on the Arsenal star’s future.
Options dwindling for West Ham as Moyes champions Bowen
A coach who has been working one-to-one with Balogun over the summer rates him as one of the most exciting up-and-coming numbers nines in world football.
Now in breaking news overnight Chelsea have marched to the front of the queue for the Gunners forward with Mauricio Pochettino’s side willing to meet Arsenal’s near £50m valuation according to The Daily Mail.
And that has resulted in West Ham’s owners telling David Moyes they won’t match that kind of money to sign Balogun, reports FootballTransfers.
Potential striker options are dwindling for West Ham who also missed out on Viktor Gyokeres to Sporting CP.
Moyes has been championing Jarrod Bowen as a striker and said he would play him up front against Bournemouth. But the Scot used him in his usual right-sided role when it came to the crunch.