It is perhaps football’s worst kept secret that West Ham United are looking to sign at least one new striker this summer.
West Ham close to massive double signing claims journalist who broke Buendia to Villa
The Hammers have been linked with a plethora of forwards over the last few months.
And no doubt that number will grow as the transfer window opens this week.
Moyes banked £20million from the sale of West Ham flop Sebastien Haller to Ajax in January.
The club intend to spend that – and more – on a replacement with Michail Antonio the only senior forward on West Ham’s books.
Striker is West Ham’s priority signing this summer
Some of West Ham’s reported targets going into the summer have already been ruled out of the running.
Ivan Toney will be staying at Brentford after helping the Bees reach the Premier League.
Fellow West Ham target Odsonne Edouard looks bound for Leicester.
And longstanding West Ham striker target Olivier Giroud has signed a contract extension at Chelsea.
Moyes has made it clear on several occasions that he wants to continue to rebuild West Ham around young, hungry talent in line with the Red Bull model he admires so much.
So it is interesting that he has picked out rising Dutch striker star Donyell Malen as a player he believes is one to watch at this summer’s Euros.
Malen was on Arsenal’s books as a youngster.
And West Ham boss Moyes predicts there will be plenty of interest from the Premier League in the PSV star who he likens to Memphis Depay (The Times).
“Malen is an interesting talent who comes into the category of up-and-coming players to watch,” Moyes told The Times.
“He probably starts the tournament as back-up to Memphis Depay but he scored 27 goals for PSV Eindhoven last season. And Holland are still striving to find their best XI and formation. Which means you might see some of their young players getting opportunities.
“Malen was at Arsenal as a youngster and is attracting Premier League interest again… Style-wise, Malen is probably closer to Depay than Van Nistelrooy.”
Malen the perfect fit for Moyes recruitment strategy and Dutch clubs have history of selling when money is right
Malen fits West Ham’s recruitment policy under Moyes to a tee.
At just 22 he is the right age, is athletic, energetic and would be hungry to prove himself at the top level.
Malen has a record of one in two for PSV with 40 goals from 81 games.
And he has nine caps for Holland with two goals.
Whether West Ham could lure Malen away from PSV remains to be seen. But Eredivisie clubs have long had a reputation for selling their brightest young prospects if the offer is right.
Moyes is clearly a big admirer of the forward who is a little known name on these shores.
So don’t be surprised if he is eyeing up a bid as he looks to finally get that all-important striker signing right at West Ham.