West Ham are in talks to sign a playmaker with 0 goals and just 1 assist in 38 games last season amid Dwight McNeil claims.
With the Jesse Lingard saga looking set to end in tears for West Ham, it seems David Moyes is finally turning his attentions elsewhere.
The Hammers have been linked with relegated Burnley star McNeil this summer.
But speculation the playmaker could move to the London Stadium has gone quiet of late.
That was until today when Sky Sports published a report stating Moyes could be close to bringing the attacker to east London with a fee of around £15m mooted.
The harsh reality, if the report is accurate, is that West Ham are in talks to sign a playmaker with 0 goals and just 1 assist in 38 games last season amid the McNeil claims.
Sky Sports claim West Ham and London rivals Crystal Palace are in talks to sign McNeil.
“The 22-year-old has made 134 Premier League appearances for Burnley and is seen as a prime target because of his experience of top-level football, while still being so young,” Sky Sports reports.
“McNeil himself is keen to return to the Premier League and is currently considering a number of options…
“Burnley are likely to demand a fee in excess of £15m for the England U21 international.”
In fairness to alleged West Ham target McNeil, Burnley were a particularly poor and turgid side last season.
But given he is one of – if not THE – main attacking outlets for the Clarets, having just one goal involvement in 38 Premier League appearances – 35 of those being starts – is dismal (WhoScored).
Moyes stated in January he did not want to sign players who did not improve on what he already has.
Well for context, the much-criticised Said Benrahma got eight goals and six assists in 26 Premier League starts (WhoScored).
Even Hammers flop Nikola Vlasic matched McNeil’s goal contribution in just six Prem starts.
At 22 McNeil fits the profile of player Moyes wants to bring to West Ham.
And playing in a better side will undoubtedly see his statistics improve.
But is McNeil really the best West Ham can do having had over six months to plan signings with the new season just two weeks away?
It is a move that is certain to divide opinion among West Ham fans.
But then so did Craig Dawson and look how that turned out.
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