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West Ham United could sign striker Hwang Ui-jo for a cut-price due to major Bordeaux financial issues
West Ham United have been credited with an interest in Bordeaux striker Hwang Ui-jo – and they could secure a cut-price deal due to the Ligue 1 side’s recent financial woes.
Bordeaux confirmed on Tuesday 14 June that they have been demoted to the National 1 [France’s third tier] with RMCSport suggesting that the Ligue 1 side owes a debt of around £34million.
As reported by Calciomercato on 16 June, the Hammers are monitoring the situation of Korean striker Ui-jo and a potential cut-price deal could be on the cards.
The 29-year-old striker scored 11 goals for Bordeaux in the 2021/22 campaign.
A move for the forward has plenty of positives, but also a couple of negative aspects that David Moyes must consider should he decide to pursue a move for the South Korean international.
Initially, the financial situation at Bordeaux is a big positive for Moyes and West Ham, with Hammers looking for value for money in the summer window.
The striker is nearing the end of his contract and any deal would come for a low fee considering Bordeaux’s need to generate funds quickly.
Moyes also needs to add to his striking options with Michail Antonio the Irons’ only out-and-out options for the centre-forward berth.
However, there are certainly a few caveats to this signing.
Ui-jo is 29 and is very unlikely to develop any further should he make the switch to the London Stadium.
Furthermore, surely the Hammers need to be targeting proven Premier League quality when it comes to recruiting a striker?
The Korean could well be a success but an eleven-goal striker from Ligue 1 is a gamble.
In other West Ham news, the club have “nothing to add” when asked about the proposed Birmingham City takeover that may involve David Sullivan.
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