Report: Lopetegui closes in on making 27-year-old striker his second summer signing at West Ham

West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui seems to be intent on signing a proven striker this summer.

It was claimed earlier this summer that West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui was prioritising the addition of a new centre-forward.

The Spaniard first moved to sign right winger Luis Guilherme – an 18-year-old from Brazil, but now he needs to bring some more proven quality to the London Stadium.

Youssef En-Nesyri has been firmly on the Hammers’ radar this summer, and Sevilla are desperate to sell him before the end of the month in order to avoid financial sanctions.

The Sevilla hitman has been linked with a move to West Ham pretty much every single summer and January window over the past three years.

He played under Lopetegui during the West Ham manager’s time in charge of the La Liga outfit, so the gaffer knows him very well indeed.

En-Nesyri has bagged 73 goals in 196 appearances for Sevilla – better than a goal every three games.

Now Lopetegui needs to go all out to bring him to the London Stadium this summer, in order to complete his attacking lineup for next season.

The latest news regarding West Ham’s pursuit of En-Nesyri is very promising indeed…

Photo by West Ham United FC/West Ham United FC via Getty Images

Julen Lopetegui closes in on second summer signing at West Ham

The Spaniard has a lot of work to do at the London Stadium before the new Premier League season begins in August.

Lopetegui is said to be keen to get the majority of his transfer business done before the pre-season campaign begins on July 20th.

He needs to strengthen in pretty much every single area of the pitch, after David Moyes left an incredibly unbalanced and ageing squad behind him.

That said, there should be one signing in particular that Lopetegui is prioritising above all others, and that’s a new striker.

Thankfully, that’s exactly what he’s doing.

According to Give Me Sport, West Ham will ‘intensify’ their attempts to bring En-Nesyri to the London Stadium this week:

“West Ham are expected to turn up the intensity of their interest in En-Nesyri in the next week, the east Londoners’ pursuit of a new hitman could be all but done within the first few weeks of the summer trading period opening for business with them looking to get ahead of the curve with their transfer dealings.”

Lopetegui is keen to make the Morocco international his second summer signing since taking over as the new Hammers boss.

The Hammers have been interested in signing the 27-year-old since January 2021.

And now it seems like we may well finally get our hands on our man!

The perfect signing for Lopetegui

En-Nesyri is absolutely perfect for Lopetegui’s system, what with his aerial prowess, ability to occupy opposing defenders and finishing ability.

He could be available for just £21 million this summer as well – seriously this one is an absolute no-brainer for the Hammers.

One slight criticism I have of West Ham with this is – what are the owners and transfer team waiting for?

The Hammers need to sign a new striker desperately and En-Nesyri is the perfect man for us.

If Julen Lopetegui really does want to bring the Morocco international to West Ham this summer, it really shouldn’t be a hard deal to get done.

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