Technical director Tim Steidten has a new Belgian bun in the oven for West Ham United as the hunt for a new attacker widens.
West Ham are looking to sign both a striker and an attacker who can play off the left-hand side.
The obvious reason for that is the uncertainty over the long-term future of Lucas Paqueta whether he beats the charges against him or not.
In the meantime new Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui is expected to play Paqueta in a more central role.
The likes of Jota Silva, Matias Soule and Reiss Nelson have been heavily linked with moves to the London Stadium.
West Ham are also focusing on bringing in a new striker as their next top priority.
Hammers widen the net in search for new attackers
They say there’s no smoke without fire.
So the fact the same names continue to be linked in both positions, suggests there is an element of truth to West Ham’s interest.
Make no mistake West Ham have been linked with a plethora of players this window.
So much so that some fans have accused technical director Tim Steidten and Lopetegui of taking a scattergun approach to the club’s big rebuild.
It’s been quite rare over the last few weeks to see new names linked, though.
Until now.
Because Steidten has a new Belgian bun in the oven for West Ham as the hunt for an attacker widens.
The Hammers have Belgium winger Alexis Saelemaekers to their shortlist of targets according to Italian outlet Sempre Milan.
Steidten has new Belgian bun in the oven for West Ham
The 25-year-old was a hit on loan at Bologna last season, helping them qualify for the Champions League.
Saelemaekers was expected to join Bologna in a permanent deal but after the departure of Thiago Motta, they did not take up their option to make his loan permanent.
The report claims that has alerted West Ham to his availability.
Milan chief Geoffrey Moncada and the board will listen to the offers from West Ham for Saelemaekers but only on a permanent basis.
The alleged Hammers target is currently training with Milan as they start life under former West Ham managerial candidate Paulo Fonseca.
It is stated that the Portuguese is open to selling Saelemaekers.
But CalcioMercato claim West Ham will face competition from rival Premier League clubs Leicester, Forest and Ipswich.
Milan want £8-12m for Saelemaekers
That report claims Milan want between £8-12m for Saelemaekers.
With Soule reportedly having his heart set on Roma and Nelson looking expensive from Arsenal at a reported £20m, the Belgian could become a cost effective solution for the Hammers.
In the meantime West Ham are also chasing another centre-back, a central midfielder and a versatile full-back.
Hammers News exclusively revealed agent Will Salthouse is pleading with David Sullivan to sign client Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
In defence, West Ham still have a glimmer of hope about signing Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo while RB Salzburg’s Oumar Solet is a Plan B.
West Ham fans who don’t have much knowledge of Saelemaekers can check him out in action in the video below.
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