West Ham United, Brentford in race to sign PSG striker Hugo Ekitike as Michail Antonio update emerges
West Ham are looking to beat Brentford to sign PSG striker and former Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike before the transfer deadline, according to the Telegraph.
The English newspaper reported on its website on Wednesday (30 August) that the 21-year-old French striker, who was wanted by Newcastle before he joined PSG last summer, is now viewed as a backup option to Michail Antonio.
French news outlet Sports Zone reported on Twitter that a bid worth £34million has already been made by the Hammers for Ekitike.
Surely not
If the Hammers are spending that much money it surely will not be to provide cover to Antonio who’s already on the wrong side of 30.
The Jamaica international may be a force to reckon with on his day but he is far from a reliable option to lead the line all season.
That’s precisely why the Hammers got Gianluca Scamacca in last summer, but that deal did not work out like they thought it would.
There even have been reports of Antonio perhaps being shown the door so if Ekitike does join, he’s coming to be the first choice.
It remains to be seen whether he moves to the London Stadium or prefers joining Brentford – who have built an impressive project.
The Bees are also unlikely to give up on his services that easily so it’s going to be a fight to the finish.
In other West Ham news, the club have now opened advanced talks with a Premier League player who appears to be open to leaving his side this summer.