David Moyes has made his prime striker target clear ahead of a summer move according to a reliable West Ham United insider.
Assistant boss speaks on star’s future, could save West Ham millions after agent’s admission
West Ham have been linked with a plethora of forwards since selling Sebastien Haller to Ajax in January.
ExWHUemployee recently claimed Moyes has drawn up a shortlist of five strikers for the summer.
Speculation suggests the likes of Ivan Toney, Tammy Abraham, Abdallah Sima, Youssef En-Nesyri and Adam Armstrong are on that list.
Hammers striker bids knocked back in January
West Ham saw bids for Sevilla forward En-Nesyri knocked back in January (The Sun).
That would suggest he is Moyes’s prime target.
But according to West Ham insiders Claret & Hugh – who have direct links to owners David Sullivan and David Gold – Blackburn Rovers star Armstrong is the number one target.
Claret & Hugh claim the 20-goal striker – who is out of contract in 2022 – is the man Moyes is planning to move for as a priority.
“The Irons are definitely in the market for a hitman but the number one striker remains Blackburn’s Adam Armstrong,” Claret & Hugh reports.
Insider claims Blackburn star Armstrong is Moyes’s number one striker target this summer
“According to (a) new report, however, the Irons are watching Aaron Boupendza although with the manager’s record of reaching into the Championship, Armstrong looks a far more likely target.
“He is determined to bring in a front man as well as Jesse Lingard and will be hoping for an improvement of his last purchase up front (Jordan Hugill).”
Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray admitted he was surprised the likes of West Ham did not push harder for Armstrong in January (Lancashire Telegraph).
“Am I surprised? Probably yes,” Mowbray told Lancashire Telegraph when asked about West Ham’s failure to make their interest more concrete before the January window closed.
“I’m not disappointed, but am I surprised? I thought the phone might have rung.
“I’ve had a conversation with a couple of Premier League managers but they’ve not been pushy, just enquired.”
Rovers boss has made it clear he won’t stand in striker’s way if Hammers come knocking
That will change come the summer if Claret & Hugh’s claim is accurate.
Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Warburton has described Armstrong as a Premier League striker.
And he may well be in the summer if Moyes takes a chance on the 24-year-old.
He certainly fits Moyes’s recruitment policy at West Ham. Moyes wants young, talented players from the second tier who are hungry to prove themselves in the top flight.
Mowbray has also admitted he would never stand in Armstrong’s way if a Premier League club comes knocking. So long as Blackburn are well recompensed (Lancashire Telegraph).