West Ham are contemplating signing a second striker but Nottingham Forest have launched a bid for a top Tim Steidten target.
West Ham and Nottingham Forest have shared plenty of column inches during this summer’s transfer window.
And a few more can be added to that tally now it seems.
The Hammers and Nottingham Forest have both been very active in the market as they reshape their squads.
West Ham have brought in eight new signings and counting while Forest have also been very busy signing the likes of Elliot Anderson, Marko Stamenic, Eric da Silva Moreira, Carlos Miguel, Nikola Milenkovic and Jota Silva.
Those last three signings are all very familiar to West Ham.
Miguel is a 6ft 8in Brazilian goalkeeper and Hammers fans may recognise the name because he was being linked with a move to east London until Nottingham Forest swooped to seal a deal with Corinthians.
Serbian centre-back Milenkovic was also a longstanding West Ham target until Nottingham Forest brought him in for a bargain £13.5m.
Portuguese winger Jota Silva looked nailed on to join West Ham this summer. But the Hammers opted to sign Crysencio Summerville instead and Silva then agreed to go to Forest.
The Tricky Trees have also been linked with top Hammers target Wesley Gassova this summer.
Forest and Hammers cross swords in window
It also emerged that the City Ground side tried to hijack West Ham’s interest in Internacional defender Vitao.
Nottingham Forest caused West Ham’s move to collapse by offering more money for Vitao and agreeing to pay him a lot more than the Hammers too.
Since then, Forest’s own bid has hit the buffers.
With both West Ham and Forest shopping in the same market, they were bound to find themselves battling for players.
Earlier this summer West Ham were being heavily linked with Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi as well as a host of others. And it was being reported Michail Antonio could return to Forest in the other direction.
Hammers technical director Tim Steidten has since signed his compatriot – Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug.
But West Ham are still reportedly on the hunt for another younger striker, if they can shift three players out of the club.
Now Nottingham Forest have bid for a top Steidten striker target as West Ham weigh up a second forward signing.
West Ham weigh up second forward signing
The Hammers have been linked with Villa’s Colombian striker Jhon Duran and Roma’s Tammy Abraham.
Earlier this year it was claimed Mexican Santiago Gimenez, a close friend of Edson Alvarez, was being lined up for a move to West Ham this summer.
Steidten wanted to sign Gimenez from Feyenoord last summer and in January.
But then Feyenoord boss Arne Slot refused to let him leave.
It was revealed months ago that Feyenoord plan to sell 23-year-old Gimenez this summer with West Ham interested.
If Steidten does still want Gimenez then he may need to do some serious wheeling and dealing as soon as possible.
Forest table bid for Steidten striker target Gimenez
Because Forest have now submitted an official £25m bid for the striker, who has already scored 78 senior goals for club and country in his career so far.
According to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, Nottingham Forest have indicated in writing that they want to pay 25 million euros (£21m), including bonuses for Gimenez.
Although there is still hope for West Ham because it is claimed the opening bid will be “swept off the table by Feyenoord”.
The report states Gimenez and his father, who also acts as his advisor, have been waiting for a bigger club than Forest to come forward after the links to the likes of West Ham.
Whether West Ham could stretch their budget depends very much on any outgoings.
But it seems the path is clear for Forest in a straight cash deal with the Hammers only likely to be able to afford to do a loan with obligation or option at this stage.
In the 89 matches Gimenez has played for Feyenoord since joining, he has scored 53 times and provided 13 assists.
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