Steven Bergwijn holds talks with Ajax manager after West Ham United development
Ajax manager Francesco Farioli accepts the club may have to sell Steven Bergwijn amid interest from West Ham United, according to De Telegraaf.
The Dutch source reported [13 July] that, while Farioli has big plans for the winger next season, he understands the 26-year-old is one of the only players at the club to hold a significant transfer fee.
Ajax would be looking to offload the player for between €25million and €30million (£21million-£25.2million) if they were to sell this summer.
It is understood that the Hammers have previously registered their interest in Bergwijn, unable to act on the transfer during the January transfer window [Jacob Steinberg, 8 January], and would need to sell first before purchasing the Ajax player.
The same report adds that Bergwijn has recent held talks with Farioli and is now pondering his next career choice.
West Ham United hit stumbling block in Steven Bergwijn transfer
Bergwijn, previously dubbed “unique” by Nuno Espirito Santo during their time at Tottenham together, is currently away on holiday, mulling over his future after holding talks with Farioli.
While the manager is not keen to lose the 26-year-old winger this summer, he may have no choice if the Hammers return for him with a suitable bid.
Capable of playing anywhere across the front-line, Bergwijn would be the perfect fit alongside Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus, with Premier League experience to his name already.
He certainly struggled to adapt during his time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but has become a crucial player for Ajax since returning to the Netherlands, scoring 29 goals in 76 appearances.
Of course, with the uncertainty surrounding Paqueta’s future at the London Stadium, it would be a sensible move to bring in a left-winger, an area that Bergwijn could occupy quite comfortably.
However, if the Hammers were to need to sell a player in order to sign the Dutchman this summer, the club will need to very carefully choose their options in the transfer market.
In other West Ham news, Federico Gatti has decided on his future after the Hammers made an approach to Juventus.
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