There is exciting news for Hammers fans at long last on the striker front after a new report claimed Andrea Belotti wants a move to West Ham United.
The Hammers have been linked with Italy and Torino striker Belotti for some time now.
Hammers long linked to Italy and Torino striker
And in the summer West Ham were reported to be leading the race to sign the striker according to a report from Torino Granata.
But in the end David Moyes elected not to bring in another forward, leaving injury-prone Michail Antonio as West Ham’s only proper striker option.
Belotti has a very good record of 148 goals in 375 career games for club and country.
He is a proven goalscorer at the top level and many West Ham fans feel Belotti is exactly the kind of striker the club should be looking to sign.
Speculation reignited as striker rejects new deal and report claims he would welcome West Ham move
Belotti has been linked with West Ham again in the last few days after he rejected a new deal at Torino. With his contract up next summer, it means he will likely be sold in January for a knockdown fee.
That alerted Milan too, which looked ominous for the Hammers.
But now a new report from The Daily Express and The Daily Star claims Belotti WANTS a move to east London should Moyes move for him in January.
According to The Daily Express – as also reported by The Daily Star – Belotti will be sold for around £15m in January as Torino look to cash in on the 27-year-old before he becomes available for free next summer.
Moyes impressed by workhorse Belotti at Euros
“The same source also reports that West Ham are looking to provide Michail Antonio with competition for the striker’s role, and believe that the Italian is a real possibility due to his impressive goalscoring record,” The Daily Star reports.
The sources claim as per the article’s headline – that the Italy striker is ‘keen’ on a move to West Ham.
Moyes worked as a technical observer for UEFA at the Euros in the summer. And he is said to have been impressed by the forward’s hard-working displays for Italy on their way to winning the tournament.
A lot can happen between now and January. And a player of Belotti’s ability will no doubt attract plenty of suitors.
No-brainer for West Ham but competition likely to be fierce
It would be a complete no-brainer for Moyes if he is available.
And the Scot cannot afford to pass up the chance while relying on injury-prone Antonio for an entire jam-packed season.
But a word of caution. The Express and Star’s approach to transfer stories is akin to West Ham’s old approach to transfers before the Moyes revolution – scattergun to say the least.