A journalist has made an exciting claim about West Ham being in for a second top level striker this summer.
West Ham are certainly not messing around when it comes to transfers in the summer window.
The Hammers have already completed a deal to sign centre-back Fabricio Bruno from Flamengo.
That has used up around £12.5m of West Ham’s reported £100m budget.
New head coach Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten are working together on a major West Ham rebuild.
The pair are plotting between six and eight signings in the overhaul with Bruno being the first.
It was reported recently that Steidten is prioritising getting deals done for two new central defenders and a striker as soon as possible.
Hammers want second top striker
Hammers News exclusively revealed earlier this month that Youssef En-Nesyri is the striker name on a list of targets Lopetegui had presented to the club when interviewed.
En-Nesyri has turned down moves to West Ham twice in the past. But having enjoyed some of his best football under Lopetegui at Sevilla, it is thought it could be a case of third time lucky for the Hammers.
En-Nesyri was seen saying emotional goodbyes to Sevilla fans as he was deliberately subbed in the 90th minute of their last game of the season.
A Spanish journalist reckons it was a goodbye ahead of a bid from West Ham.
But now Unai Emery and ex Sevilla director Monchi are trying to lure him to play Champions League football with Aston Villa.
It seems Steidten and Lopetegui have other irons in the fire, though.
Because a journalist has made an exciting claim about West Ham being in for second top level striker.
Exciting claim about West Ham being in Toney
Reporter Dean Jones claims the Hammers have now officially entered the running to sign Brentford’s “for sale” forward Ivan Toney.
Jones claims West Ham are emerging as realistic suitors with interest from other London clubs waning at Brentford’s reported £60m valuation.
He states West Ham could enter the bidding at around the £40m mark.
And that may eventually prove good enough to get a deal done with the Bees.
“Sources believe Toney could still be a good option for West Ham to look at if Brentford become open minded about his true value in the summer market,” Jones writes on SportsLens.
En-Nesyri is two years Toney’s junior and possesses more pace.
But Toney is a proven Premier League goalscorer and the world’s best penalty taker.
He is also a free-kick master and one of the best hold-up players in the top flight too.
How do the records of the two reported West Ham targets compare?
En-Nesyri vs Toney
Well En-Nesyri has scored 93 goals and laid on nine assists in 289 top level senior career games for club and country.
He has been man of the match on 17 occasions and has an average match rating of 6.72/10.
Toney meanwhile has played less games at the top level having been with Northampton, Peterborough and a host of EFL clubs previously.
In 137 top level games for Brentford, Newcastle, Toney has scored an impressive 71 goals and laid on 23 assists.
Toney has been man of the match on 23 occasions and has a better average match rating than En-Nesyri of 7.25/10.
West Ham would have to weigh up any possible risk factor given Toney has just come back from a lengthy ban due to breaking rules over betting.
Especially as the club is currently already dealing with an even more serious case involving Lucas Paqueta.
Both players are brilliant in the air so James Ward-Prowse will be licking his lips if he has a place in Lopetegui’s new-look West Ham side.
It’s very reassuring that the Hammers are looking at two top quality bonafide strikers, though.
It means Jarrod Bowen will be operating in his preferred position off the right under the Spaniard.
And Mohammed Kudus will hopefully be used in his own preferred position, central attacking midfield.
Exciting times ahead it seems.
If West Ham can sign one of these forwards their window really will be cooking with gas.