West Ham United have been linked with Napoli and Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik who is also a target for Tottenham Hotspur.
Read: Survival Friday is on for West Ham, now it’s over to David Moyes to make good on pledge
According to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb West Ham have joined Tottenham and Manchester United in the race for the 26-year-old.
West Ham insiders Claret & Hugh – who have a direct link to co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold – have also reported the interest in Milik.
West Ham join Tottenham in chase for Milik – reports
Tuttosport reported last month on Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho’s interest in signing Milik from Napoli in the summer transfer window.
During lockdown Claret & Hugh claimed West Ham were focused on signing a striker to partner Sebastien Haller as a priority in the next window.
Napoli are said to want £36.22 million for Lukasz Fabianki’s international teammate.
West Ham have been at pains to make clear they will not be spending big due to the financial impact of the global health crisis.
And that’s where West Ham could play their ace card, Felipe Anderson.
The Brazilian, who was brilliant in his first season in east London, has been disappointing this term for West Ham.
Hammers could use Napoli’s Anderson interest to broker swap deal
The Times claims the Hammers want to sell the former Lazio playmaker this summer.
And Napoli have been heavily linked with a move for the West Ham man (Corriere dello Sport, The Sun, The Daily Mail).
In fact Anderson has been described as Napoli’s prime target.
So West Ham can be cunning and use that interest to land Milik ahead of the likes of Spurs.
A straight swap would be reasonable for both clubs. Particularly as West Ham have a readymade replacement waiting to step into Anderson’s shoes in the shape of Grady Diangana.
West Ham have also been linked with free agent Ryan Fraser who could also replace Anderson (The Mirror).
Both Milik and Anderson are valued at around the same amount. West Ham won’t be spending large sums so a swap deal is ideal for the co-owners.
Busy Poland star would be ideal partner for Haller
Milik could be a brilliant foil for Haller too.
He is quick, hardworking, presses defenders and is a constant menace.
According to WhoScored, Milik has scored 10 goals in 17 Serie A starts this season and three goals in the Champions League too.
Last season Milik hit 17 goals and provided three assists in the league, and scored two goals and provided one assist in the Champions League, according to WhoScored.
Milik is well used to playing the second striker role to great effect for Poland alongside the great Robert Lewandowski.
In terms of age, energy and desire Milik ticks all the boxes for David Moyes who is looking to build a new-look West Ham around young, hungry players (whufc.com and beIN Sports).
It looks as though the Scot is going to have to be creative in the summer window.
So using Anderson’s increasingly inevitable departure to his advantage would be sound business.
Read: West Ham looking at double Championship deal as Moyes targets former PSG defender
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
