A European giant has agreed to sell a towering Spain Under 21 striker and word is that it’s to West Ham United.
West Ham cannot put off signing a new striker this summer as part of Julen Lopetegui’s rebuild.
The new Hammers head coach is inheriting the smallest and second oldest squad in the Premier League from David Moyes.
That is exemplified by the fact Lopetegui’s current striker options consist of Michail Antonio – who turns 35 next season – and the ageing Danny Ings, whose face simply doesn’t fit at West Ham.
West Ham did not replace Gianluca Scamacca last summer and have had to sit back and watch him help fire Atalanta to Europa League glory.
The Hammers cannot go another summer without addressing the striker issue.
Although Lopetegui was only officially appointed two weeks ago, he is said to have been working with Tim Steidten behind the scenes on transfer plans.
West Ham searching for new striker
And it seems one of his targets is back in his homeland, Spain.
The Hammers have been linked with a host of strikers this summer including Ivan Toney, Dominic Solanke, Armando Broja, Victor Boniface, Serhou Guirassy and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Many of those look set to be far too expensive for West Ham’s reported £100m budget, though.
The reality facing West Ham technical director Steidten is that he must find at least one – if not two – new forwards in the summer window without breaking the bank.
That may mean taking a chance on young players with promise or by raiding clubs in financial trouble.
It seems West Ham are doing both in one move if new reports are true.
Because a European giant has agreed to sell their towering Spain U21 striker and word is it’s to West Ham.
Report claims Atletico are selling Omorodion to West Ham
Back in April Hammers News reported on claims that West Ham were interested in young Atletico Madrid forward Samu Omorodion.
Not only that but Diego Simeone could be forced to sell the 6ft 4in 20-year-old.
Pacy and skilful Omorodion is redefining the phrase ‘good feet for a big man’ in Spain. The 6ft 4in star was signed by Atletico Madrid from Granada last summer. But he was immediately loaned out to Alaves, where he scored nine goals and laid on an assist last season.
Mundo Deportivo recently reported Atletico are facing “massive financial troubles” after losing their main sponsor. And the Spanish giants also have their huge new stadium to pay off.
Now Eldes Marque claim Atletico have agreed to sell Omorodion to a Premier League club.
And word is that club is West Ham for £25m.
Lopetegui to bring in fellow Spaniard?
“It now seems that his future has taken a turn and he will head towards the Premier League,” the report states.
“A few hours ago El Partidazo de Cope revealed that Atletico de Madrid had closed an agreement with a Premier League club to sell Samu Omorodion for 30 million Euros (£25m). And as ElDesmarque has learned, Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham is the club to which they can sell the Colchonero footballer.”
This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking move West Ham should be making.
The club dearly needs young, hungry, powerful, quick stars who can excel in the Premier League but won’t necessarily cost the earth.
Thankfully for West Ham it seems Lopetegui and Steidten very much share that opinion based on transfer moves the club is making.
You can check out what Omorodion might bring to the Hammers in the video below.