West Ham still want Ollie Watkins and know what they must do to get him claims insider

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West Ham United are still interested in signing Brentford striker Ollie Watkins this summer.

First pictures emerge of new look stands at West Ham’s London Stadium

That’s according to West Ham insiders Claret & Hugh, who have a direct line to owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for Brentford striker Watkins (The Sun).

West Ham heavily linked with Championship star Watkins

Watkins scored 25 goals for the Bees last season. He has been likened to former Hammer Jermain Defoe by West Ham legend Trevor Sinclair.

Reliable insider ExWHUemployee also told The West Ham Way podcast last month that Watkins is on a list of West Ham’s summer targets.

Hammers boss David Moyes has been told he has a zero transfer budget this summer (Claret & Hugh).

The Scot must sell to buy but thus far has only managed to offload Albian Ajeti to Celtic for £5million.

Villa looked to be in driving seat ahead of cash-strapped Hammers

So when reports emerged from the likes of The Birmingham Mail that Aston Villa were ready to pay £25m for Watkins, West Ham fans felt their hopes were doomed.

But insiders Claret & Hugh claimed last night that West Ham are still very much interested in Watkins.

Indeed the report claims West Ham have been told £2om will be enough to secure a deal for Watkins.

Now it is down to whether the Hammers can raise those funds by selling Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini.

“Whilst the Irons are keen to get involved in a chase for the player the likelihood is that he will prove beyond their financial resources,” Claret & Hugh state.

Moyes still wants £20m star but must sell Anderson or Lanzini first – insider

“Davin Moyes has made it crystal clear that his major priority is at the back and that an cash raised from the sales of such as Albian Ajeti, Jordan Hugill and others on his potential exit list will first be spent in that area…

“We understand however the Hammers could get involved were they to sell such as Manuel Lanzini or Felipe Anderson.”

Moyes has made clear his ambitions to sign the best talent from the Championship to build a new-look West Ham side around young, athletic talent hungry to prove themselves in the top flight (whufc.com and beIN Sports).

Watkins’s statistics back up the hype.

He scored 25 goals from 44 during the regular season last term. And he boasted an average match rating of over 7.3 while picking up six man of the match awards and four assists (WhoScored.com).

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