Benfica set Arthur Cabral transfer conditions as West Ham offer rejected
West Ham might have to pay up to £16.6million for Benfica striker Arthur Cabral, according to Maisfutebol.
The Portuguese outlet reports [7 January] that the Hammers have seen their loan offer to sign the 26-year-old rejected in recent days, even though it included a purchase option [UOL].
It is understood that, with Serie A side Torino also interested, Benfica are looking for a permanent offer worth between £12.4million [€15million] and £16.6million [€20million] for a possible sale.
West Ham United searching for new striker signing in January
Whether Julen Lopetegui is still in charge to make transfer demands in the coming days is a completely different story, but it seems imperative that deals are done during the January transfer window.
Despite David Sullivan opening his deep pockets during the summer window, the Hammers have fallen to 14th in the Premier League table, only managing six wins from their first 20 games.
Despite the number of exciting attackers in the squad, Lopetegui’s side have only scored 24 goals in the division since the summer, with only six other teams able to say they have done worse.
Jarrod Bowen is the current top-scorer at the London Stadium, and with him sidelined through injury, it is unclear where the goals will be coming from over the next few weeks.
The Hammers have scored four goals in their last five games, coming from Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta’s penalty against Bournemouth and Niclas Fullkrug.
It could be vital that the Irons sign a new striker while Michail Antonio continues to recover from a broken leg and Danny Ings continues to be a no-show this season.
However, with the number of goals being conceded across all competitions, a defensive signing is far more imperative, but the lack of reports of linked defenders is slightly worrying with the window now open.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers must react now as Ipswich Town are planning a “massive bid” for a new striker.
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