West Ham respond to claim Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin is on his way to London Stadium

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West Ham have long been linked with a move for Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin and speculation has reignited.

West Ham were already looking to sign a new forward in the January transfer window before Michail Antonio’s car crash.

The Hammers acknowledged last week they need to sign a ‘top level striker’.

Perhaps unsurprisingly that has been followed by fresh claims West Ham want Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Barely a window goes by without the Hammers being linked with Toffees star Calvert-Lewin and Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson.

That was the case in the summer too.

It was confirmed by a top club insider back then that West Ham were offered the Everton striker – who is in the last year of his contract – by an agent.

But Everton’s valuation of up to £37m coupled with huge wage demands of up to £130,000 per week meant it was a non-starter.

West Ham respond to claim about Everton star Calvert-Lewin

Given Danny Ings just hasn’t worked out and will be leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season, realistically the Hammers will need to sign at least two new forwards in the coming windows.

West Ham’s owners may get away with bringing in one in January to get through to the end of the season, though.

According to reports this week, that man could be Calvert-Lewin.

Earlier this week TEAMtalk stated West Ham are interested in signing the Everton man in January.

The same site has claimed today that the Hammers may look to agree a summer move on a free transfer if a January deal cannot be done.

Although the report states Fiorentina and Newcastle are also interested.

Now West Ham have responded to the claim Everton star Calvert-Lewin is on his way to London Stadium.

Hammers hierarchy emphatic on Calvert-Lewin move

Given Calvert-Lewin has been linked with West Ham for several years, Hammers News put the new links to the top spokesman for the club’s owners to see whether there is any truth.

West Ham’s response was emphatic and pretty damning.

The Hammers hierarchy insists it is merely transfer window rumour mill talk and that there is one key reason the club wouldn’t be in for the 27-year-old.

“It’s just paper talk,” the West Ham spokesman told Hammers News.

“The big problem is his injury record.”

That is certainly the perception of the Everton striker, but is it fair?

In the last three seasons, the short answer is – yes.

Calvert-Lewin has missed a total of 69 games after spending 410 days out injured over the last three seasons.

He has managed only 15 goals in those seasons from 75 matches.

So it’s easy to see why West Ham’s owners would be concerned about a move for the former England forward.

There is clearly a quality forward there for someone to get the best out of. He showed that between 2019 and 2022 by scoring 36 goals across two seasons.

If West Ham were to sign Calvert-Lewis alongside another striker capture then it might make perfect sense.

But his wage demands to be second choice might prove prohibitive even if the Hammers were open to the move – which they’re not by the sounds of it.

Other West Ham striker targets

West Ham confirmed interest in Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath to Hammers News recently.

West Ham don’t believe ‘Boro will sell as they are chasing promotion. Although journalist Graeme Bailey believes Middlesbrough will sell for £25m.

The club are also interested in the situation of out of favour Brighton forward Evan Ferguson having dropped down the pecking order at the Amex.

The Irons are also keen to explore a deal for PSG flop Randal Kolo Muani.

Hammers News exclusively revealed David Sullivan’s sons have been urging him to bring Liam Delap to West Ham.

But the club appreciate they may have to wait until the summer before Ipswich consider selling.

In a Hammers News exclusive, journalist Bailey shared a detailed update on West Ham’s striker targets last week.

Targets include players from Brazil, Mexico, Ireland, Africa and even a Costa Rican playing in Russia.