West Ham have ditched their plan to sign Portuguese attacker Jota Silva with a rapid Arsenal star now open to a move it has been claimed.
West Ham are searching for a new versatile attacker who can play off the left as part of their summer overhaul.
Now the Hammers could be ready to pick up the phone to Arsenal to find a solution.
One of West Ham’s prime targets over the last two months has been Vitoria de Guimaraes star Jota Silva.
Silva, who has a £17.5m release clause, can play off the left, right and as a forward.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been bemoaning the Premier League’s PSR rules for restricting spending as he looks to fine tune Arsenal’s squad to try and get that elusive title.
It seems West Ham could be about to help Arsenal in that regard.
Hammers technical director Tim Steidten has made it clear the club are focusing on signing versatile players who can play in multiple positions with the German saying it is ‘important in modern football’.
Every cloud has a Silva lining for Hammers
At one stage Silva looked set to be the next big arrival at the London Stadium.
But now West Ham have ditched their Silva plan with a rapid Arsenal star open to a move.
The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas claims it is now ‘unlikely’ West Ham will sign Silva.
Thomas believes the signing of Brazilian teenage attacker Luis Guilherme is a clear indication Silva will not be joining.
But Hammers News has been told directly by the top source insider West Ham that the club are indeed still on the hunt for a left-sided attacker.
Especially with the uncertainty over Lucas Paqueta’s situation – which is prompting the Hammers to plan accordingly.
West Ham ditch Silva plan with Arsenal star now open to move
The Irons have been linked with a host of other versatile, quick, skilful and powerful attacking stars at good ages in addition to Silva.
Wingers and forwards such as Matias Soule and Jhon Arias have been linked with moves to West Ham.
So too has Gunners bit-part attacker Reiss Nelson.
Back in January, Arsenal were reportedly willing to loan Nelson to West Ham.
At the time, though, the Elephant and Castle-born star wanted to stay with the Gunners and fight for his place.
Two weeks ago it was claimed there had been a change of heart and Nelson is now considering leaving Arsenal for a fresh start elsewhere.
Now it seems a move to West Ham could have legs after Give Me Sport made an exciting claim.
The site reports that sources have told them the jet-heeled Arsenal academy graduate is open to joining the Hammers.
‘Nelson open to leaving Arsenal for West Ham’
“West Ham have been handed renewed optimism of being able to win the race for Nelson’s signature as he has already shown an openness to joining the 2023 Europa Conference League winners, according to GMS sources, after being left frustrated by his lack of opportunities last season,” the report states.
“Nelson’s lack of game time has resulted in West Ham eyeing a potential opportunity to pounce as they seek fresh competition for the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus, and GMS sources have been informed that Julen Lopetegui’s transfer target is keen to remain in London if he embarks on a fresh challenge.”
Nelson certainly fits the kind of profile of player Steidten and Lopetegui are looking to bring to West Ham.
The Gunners are keen to raise money to help with their own spending amid the restrictive nature of PSR.
And, according to this report, Nelson is now also keen on West Ham.
He would also crucially tick the homegrown player box for the Hammers – another key consideration in Steidten’s summer business.
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