It’s Steve Parish vs Tim Steidten as Crystal Palace swoop to try and beat West Ham to longstanding striker target Hugo Ekitike before deadline day.
West Ham and London rivals Crystal Palace are on a collision course as they try to sign a striker before the summer transfer window closes.
Both the Hammers and the Eagles are in the market for a new forward.
West Ham have been linked with PSG outcast Hugo Ekitike, Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri, Brazilian trio Yuri Alberto, Pedro and Marcos Leonardo and Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez.
Steve Parish vs Tim Steidten as Crystal Palace swoop to try and beat West Ham to longstanding striker target Hugo Ekitike before deadline day
But it is the move for jet-heeled French forward Ektike which has seen a battle break out between West Ham and Crystal Palace it seems.
It’s Steve Parish vs Tim Steidten as Crystal Palace swoop to try and beat West Ham to longstanding striker target Ekitike before deadline day.
Despite reportedly being impressed by what Steidten had to say during talks, Ekitike has since been linked with moves to Eintracht Frankfurt, AC Milan, Brentford and now Palace.
That’s according to journalist Alan Nixon in an update just over 48 hours out from the window closing.
Eagles want man Steidten has already held talks with – but journalist says they can’t afford asking price
Writing on his Patreon page, Sun journalist Nixon claims Crystal Palace have now joined the race for Ekitike – who, if reports in the last 24 hours are to be believed, is emerging as West Ham’s most likely striker signing before the window closes at 11pm on Friday.
The good news for the Hammers, though, is that Nixon claims Palace won’t be able to afford the reported £30m asking price.
“Crystal Palace have joined the chase for PSG striker Hugo Ekitike – but the £30 million fee will have to drop…” Nixon states.
“However Palace are finding out when several Premier League rivals have discovered…that the price is too high.”
Sheth said West Ham are exploring loan and permanent deals with PSG for jet-heeled Frenchman
Earlier this week, we reported that two journalists in different countries had said a West Ham deal for Ekitike before the deadline was ‘one to watch’.
In an update on the West Ham and Crystal Palace target yesterday, Sky Sports transfer reporter Dharmesh Sheth said the Hammers were exploring both a loan and permanent deal with PSG.
“West Ham United in talks with PSG over signing of striker Hugo Ekitike,” Sheth said.
“Discussions over both permanent and loan. Ekitike has four years left on his contract. PSG listening to offers and were exploring him being part of deal to sign Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt.”