The £20million sale of Sebastien Haller has sparked a transfer frenzy at West Ham United.
John Hartson’s quip about Haller replacement sums up West Ham’s dismal record
West Ham boss David Moyes needed another striker BEFORE Haller was sold to Ajax for a £25million loss today.
Now the flop striker has departed, West Ham’s need has become even more acute.
Haller sale sends West Ham rumour mill into overdrive
West Ham had already been linked to a host of strikers before Haller’s departure.
But the fact Moyes has seen his transfer kitty bolstered means the transfer rumour mill has gone into overdrive.
And not just regarding forwards. It was widely accepted in the summer West Ham needed another midfielder and left-back in addition to a striker.
Now Moyes has money in his pocket, several players are being linked with moves to the London Stadium.
Here we take a comprehensive look at today’s West Ham transfer rumours.
Hammers linked with EIGHT transfer deals as Moyes kitty is bolstered by £20m
West Ham have made a formal bid for Independiente del Valle midfielder Moises Caicedo according to Ecuadorian journalist Jorge Pazmino.
The Hammers were first linked with a move to sign the 19-year-old Ecuadorian starlet at the end of last month by the Daily Record.
West Ham allegedly faced competition from Manchester United and Everton for the teenager’s signature, however.
Ecuadorian journalist Jorge Pazmino claims that West Ham have made a formal offer to acquire 70% of Moises Caicedo’s rights. It is unclear as to how much the Hammers will actually have to pay.
Ageing Italian forward Graziano Pelle is once again being linked with the Hammers.
Gazzetta dello Sport claim West Ham are interested in the 35-year-old free agent.
The Italian newspaper explain there have been ‘English enquiries’ for his services, and then name the Hammers in brackets, looking at a short-term contract due to his age.
Surely Moyes will ditch any interest in the former Southampton man now he has funds to play with, though.
Given the form of Angelo Ogbonna, Fabian Balbuena, Craig Dawson and Aaron Cresswell this season – and the fact Moyes has the likes of Issa Diop in reserve – you would think a centre-back signing is unlikely.
But according to Bild and Sport 1, 20-year-old Turkish International, Ozan Kabak is a West Ham target.
He is said to be available for a ‘bargain £13.5m’ and is highly rated by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
Moyes reportedly interested in usual suspects
Eurosport claim West Ham are once again interested in Olivier Giroud.
And they cite the forward’s desperation for game time ahead of this summer’s Euros as a potentially decisive factor if the Hammers are to lure him across London.
According to a report from Le 10 Sport, West Ham have identified Stade Reims centre-forward Boulaye Dia as a priority target.
The 24-year-old could be available for around £14 million according to EN24 News.
West Ham insiders Claret and Hugh claim that soon-to-be out of contract Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke could be an option for Moyes.
Football Insider reports West Ham are still in for Josh King.
But the site also bizarrely claims West Ham could pay £15m for the out of favour Norwegian – that’s £2m more than the club offered in the summer, which is surely highly unlikely given he is available for nothing in six months.
Exciting young guns linked
West Ham are reportedly considering a potential move for Sparta Prague forward Adam Hlozek.
According to football publication 90min, the Hammers are weighing up a swoop for the highly-rated 18-year-old.
It is explained that European giants Juventus and Borussia Dortmund have both lodged interest in the teenager, who is valued at £20million by Sparta Prague.
The report adds that the Hammers may have an advantage if they do step up interest in him, as they already have a strong Czech representative at the London Stadium with both Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal.
Perhaps one of the most exciting links to emerge today, though, is West Ham’s interest in Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah.
The Evening Standard claims the 21-year-old is being tracked by West Ham as he enters the final 18 months of his contract at Emirates Stadium.
“West Ham are keen to know if the Gunners would be open to a possible deal,” The Evening Standard reports.