West Ham United are in limbo at the moment with Marko Arnautovic’s on-off move to China dominating the headlines.
West Ham looked likely to lose Arnautovic after his agent and brother Danijel told talkSPORT he wanted to leave.
The Hammers were never keen to sell the Austrian forward but a transfer appeared likely as he waved goodbye to the club’s supporters when he was substituted during the recent victory over Arsenal.
That situation may well change, though, with the Chinese window open until the end of February.
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West Ham putting plans in place?
Amidst the uncertainty West Ham are not sitting on their hands.
Manuel Pellegrini has reportedly bid for a number of strikers.
The Hammers tabled offers for Milan-bound Krzysztof Piatek and Bologna’s Andrea Belotti while Edin Dzeko was also linked.
Nothing came of those bids, though.
And now well-placed Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla has claimed on his own website that West Ham have ‘accelerated’ their interest in Uruguayan forward Maxi Gomez.
‘West Ham accelerates for Maxi’
West Ham reportedly travelled to Spain to launch a bid for Celto Vigo striker Gomez last week.
Radio Vigo, part of Cadena Ser confirmed an entourage from the Hammers were in Vigo to discuss a deal for a player Pellegrini wanted to sign in the summer.
A reported release clause of £45m saw that move go quiet for a few days.
But Pedulla wrote on his website: “After trying for Piatek, West Ham accelerates for Maxi Gomez.
“Celta Vigo striker class ’96 is the number one goal for the advanced department of the English club, as revealed by Marca.
‘West Ham will pay clause’
“In the last hours there have been new contacts between the parties, with West Ham intending to pay the rescission clause to avoid having to deal with the Spaniards.
“Leaving Arnautovic left (Guangzhou has been out in the last hours) and – above all – Chicharito Hernandez, courted by several companies.”
Gomez has scored 26 La Liga goals in 50 starts and at 22 could prove an astute signing from Pellegrini.
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