West Ham are set to launch a lowball offer for a star as the striker budget restrictions become abundantly clear.
The Hammers are currently on the hunt for a new forward.
After spending £60m on Brazilian teenager Luis Guilherme and defender Max Kilman, many West Ham fans have raised concern over how much money is left in the budget.
Especially as a new striker is one of the five signings West Ham want to make this summer and they don’t come cheap.
West Ham confirmed to Hammers News after signing Kilman that a striker is now the priority.
It was claimed a move for Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran could accelerate this week after the Copa America final.
But the top spokesman at the club exclusively told Hammers News at the weekend that West Ham will not be paying Villa’s £35m asking price.
West Ham launch lowball offer for star
So unless Villa lower their valuation that deal won’t be happening, it’s as simple as that.
West Ham do have other forward targets including Youssef En-Nesyri. He is among a small number of reputable strikers who will fit into West Ham’s budget with Sevilla said to want £17m.
The Hammers are also planning to sign a wide attacker who can play off the left.
But, as technical director Tim Steidten has already made clear, versatility is the key quality West Ham are looking for in targets as part of Julen Lopetegui’s overhaul.
Another thing Steidten confirmed is that West Ham are in a good position financially to sign players.
Further big money captures will clearly be difficult, though, without player sales.
Now West Ham are launching a lowball offer for a star as the striker budget restrictions become clear.
Striker budget restrictions become clear
Caught Offside claims West Ham are about to make an official bid worth £16.7m for Ajax’s Steven Bergwijn.
The Hammers have been linked with Bergwijn ever since Steidten’s arrival in east London.
The German director has good relations with Ajax from whom he signed Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez last summer.
The problem is, as outlined in the report, Ajax are looking for nearer £25m.
“It seems likely that the Hammers’ €20m (£16.7m) offer will fall some way short of Ajax’s valuation, and it then remains to be seen if the east Londoners will try again with an improved offer, or if other clubs will come in for him,” the report states.
So West Ham seem to be flying a bit of a kite on this one.
And it makes the club’s current budget restrictions clear for all to see.
The Hammers are reluctant to pay £35m for Duran as he is still relatively unproven at the top level.
That seems a sensible stance. It doesn’t necessarily mean the club would not sign off that kind of money on a more proven forward.
But the offer for Bergwijn suggests cash is tight with the number of signings that are still needed.
At some point West Ham are going to have to front the money if they want a decent striker in the door.
En-Nesyri looks only true value on the market at £17m
The only value out there right now appears to be that man En-Nesyri.
The Moroccan was the striker name on a list of four targets Lopetegui presented to David Sullivan and Steidten when he was interviewed.
En-Nesyri played some of the best football of his career under Lopetegui and the pair have a good relationship.
The 27-year-old had looked set to snub West Ham for a third time in favour of joining Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce.
But En-Nesyri turned down Mourinho at the weekend.
Given the clear budget restrictions evidence by the alleged imminent Bergwijn bid, En-Nesyri still looks the most likely for West Ham.
The only way that situation could change is if West Ham find takers for the likes of Danny Ings, Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet.
READ ALSO
Patient West Ham have cunning plan to win race for Argentine star
Saints officially announce deal and now it’s over to West Ham for 4th signing
Star Steidten wants sends come and get me plea to West Ham
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
