Steven Bergwijn transfer update after talks held as West Ham United sweat on Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta injuries
Steven Bergwijn is “keen” on a return to the Premier League after emerging as a “leading” target for West Ham during the January transfer window, according to The Standard.
The paper reported via their website on 8 January that in the wake of new injuries to Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen at the weekend the Hammers will explore a move for the former Tottenham attacker.
However, despite “preliminary discussions” having already been held with the Dutchman’s representatives it is said that talks between the two clubs are not an advanced stage.
Progress on a possible deal is not expected to move quickly, with West Ham needing to move on the likes of Pablo Fornals, Said Benrahma and Maxwel Cornet in order to raise funding for a Bergwijn deal.
The Irons do have a “good relationship” with the Eredivisie giants though, having signed Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez from the Johan Cruyff Area in the summer window, and former Rush Green coach Johnny Heitinger having been at Ajax until recently.
Logjam
Various factors look to be in place to get a deal done for Bergwijn, but the finances are going to be a problem if the club can’t shift a number of players who are now surplus to requirements.
If West Ham are without Bowen, Paqueta and Michail Antonio thanks to injury, and Kudus away at the Africa Cup of Nations, then David Moyes may be forced to turn to his unwanted reserve options, with Danny Ings another who could be on the move.
That may be the only way to drum up some suitable interest in them since it has proven easier said than done in recent windows to move them on.
According to the Standard report there is hope that Bowen’s injury isn’t serious, which is crucial given the winger’s importance to this Hammers side.
The strong recent form, prior to the back-to-back draws with Brighton in the Premier League and Bristol City in the FA Cup, would certainly be enhanced by some arrivals this month who could contribute immediately.
Bergwijn, 26, has been an important man at Ajax after a relatively brief stay in North London with Spurs, and could provide the thrust and scoring threat off the left that Bowen so often does from the right.
But it looks like there is going to need to be a number of moves done in other directions before West Ham can make a proper run at one of their top targets this month, which might make for a frustrating window.
In other West Ham news, Dharmesh Sheth from Sky Sports has reacted to news on “such a divisive subject” at the London Stadium.