West Ham United in Premier League race to sign Moussa Dembele on free transfer
West Ham United are among three Premier League clubs interested in signing Moussa Dembele this summer, according to Foot Mercato journalist Ignazio Genuardi.
The 70-goal Lyon hitman looks set to leave the club this summer with his contract at the Groupama Stadium coming to a close in June.
The Hammers have been previously linked Foot Mercato [19 January] with the former Fulham striker with the East Londoners placing an enquiry to Lyon to sign him in the summer window, but their approach was turned down as Lyon did not want a sale.
However, the 26-year-old won’t be short of suitors this summer and according to Genuardi, West Ham United are among a host of English top-flight clubs “notably on track” to sign the Parisien striker.
Taking to his personal Twitter account [4 May], he tweeted:
“At the end of his contract with Lyon, Mr Dembélé can count on the interest of certain Premier League teams. Aston Villa, Leeds United and West Ham are notably on the track for the ex-Parisian. In Serie A, Inter Milan could be interested in a backing role.”
Great option
With the futures of Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca uncertain this summer, the Hammers will be desperately on the market for a goalscorer alongside January addition Danny Ings, and Dembele certainly seems like a smart acquisition.
Dembele’s deal runs out at the end of the season, so there’s a chance that West Ham United may look to secure his services on a free transfer which will certainly save the club priceless millions in the long term.
The 26-year-old is an established and reliable goalscorer having scored 70 goals for Lyon throughout his time at the French giants and 152 goals throughout his career at the top level. He also has some Premier League experience in his belt having come up through the Fulham youth ranks so he’ll certainly know his way around the English top flight.
Goalscorers as consistent and as ruthless as Dembele don’t come around often, especially on a free transfer and this is an opportunity which could prove incredibly tempting for the club. But with rivals Aston Villa and Leeds United also on the market for his signature, West Ham United will certainly need to move fast.