A French football expert has delivered the latest about a West Ham move for striker Hugo Ekitike on live TV as deadline day edges closer.
With just over 48 hours to go until the summer transfer window closes, West Ham are ramping up their efforts to sign a striker.
West Ham have been linked with a host of forwards including PSG outcast Hugo Ekitike, Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri, Brazilian trio Yuri Alberto, Pedro and Marcos Leonardo and Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez.
Indeed Hammers technical director Tim Steidten is reported to have been in France for talks with Ekitike, Rabat for discussions with Morocco forward En-Nesyri and Brazil of late.
French football expert delivers latest about West Ham move for striker Hugo Ekitike on live TV as deadline day edges closer
Ekitike was reportedly impressed by what Steidten had to say during talks.
But the jet-heeled forward, who West Ham battled Newcastle to try and sign in January 2022, has since been linked with moves to Everton, Eintracht Frankfurt, AC Milan, Brentford and Crystal Palace.
That has led to an inevitable game of claim and counter claim across the football media.
Now a French football expert has delivered the latest about a West Ham move for striker Ekitike on live TV as deadline day edges closer.
Jonathan Johnson was speaking live on Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk show on Wednesday afternoon.
‘West Ham are interested and have been in talks for over a week’
He confirmed West Ham are still trying to sign what he describes as an “interesting” player.
And Johnson believes Ekitike could have a “high up side” for the Hammers if David Moyes can get the best out of his talents.
“This one is an interesting one because PSG are keen to move Ekitike on after what was an unsuccessful first season in Paris,” Johnson said on Transfer Talk at 12.33pm.
“PSG have been trying to move him on all summer. West Ham are interested. They’re not the only ones, though. Eintracht Frankfurt have also shown an interest as well as Brentford – so two Premier League clubs are in for him.
French football expert does not think Ekitike would be a guaranteed starter at West Ham but offers bags of potential for Moyes to unlock
“Yes West Ham have been in talks with PSG about a potential deal for him now for the last week or so.
“He’s an interesting player and somebody who has got a high level of potential. Like I said his first season in Paris didn’t go according to plan but he showed a lot of promise during his time at Reims – a good eye for goal…
“It still feels like there’s a lot of development to go in his game. He wouldn’t necessarily be an automatic fit for a starting XI berth (at West Ham) in my opinion. But equally a high up side if West Ham and David Moyes were able to get the best out of him and really start developing on that potential he has.”
One thing is for certain, West Ham fans do not have long to wait to find out if the club can get a deal done.