Matthew Chadder

Thu 31 August 2023 20:40, UK

West Ham believe that PSG striker Hugo Ekitike is open to a move to the London Stadium late in the window, according to Dharmesh Sheth.

With just a matter of hours remaining in the summer transfer window, David Moyes’ side are still on the lookout for a brand-new striker.

One name that has been mentioned throughout the summer is 21-year-old Ekitike, and Sky Sports reporter Sheth has suggested that the Hammers have received some “encouragement” in their pursuit.

“When you go into transfer talks with other clubs, normally what happens is, there’s an openness from the player to maybe be open to a move to a particular club,” Sheth told GIVEMESPORT (31 August).

“Clubs don’t usually go into these negotiations blind by trying to organise something, then get everything agreed with the club and then one second later, the deal is off because the player doesn’t want to come.

“So I think there’s an element that maybe West Ham are getting encouraged that Ekitike could be open to a move to the London stadium.”

At the death

This would be an unbelievable signing to pull off right at the end of the window if Moyes’ side can get it across the line. The need for a new striker at the club is apparent, with both Michail Antonio and Danny Ings now on the wrong side of 30, and bringing a young talent like Ekitike in on deadline day would be a real statement of intent.

It has already been a fantastic summer at the London Stadium with the East London outfit reinvesting their money from the sale of Declan Rice wisely. They have signed Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse and Konstantinos Mavropanos, which arguably sees them begin this season with a better squad than they finished the previous campaign with.

And Ekitike really would be the icing on the cake and the youngster would certainly be able to help them continue their fine start to the season.

In other West Ham news, the club could still sell another player if a replacement comes in.