West Ham in Artem Dovbyk talks as Joshua Zirkzee deal set to be sealed
West Ham are reportedly in discussions over a possible transfer deal for Roma striker Artem Dovbyk.
Niclas Fullkrug has just secured a West Ham exit to AC Milan on a loan-to-buy arrangement and the Hammers are looking for a replacement in January.
West Ham already made an enquiry over Dovbyk and it appears discussions have moved on with the 28-year-old on the way out of the Serie A side.
Roma are set to wrap up deals to bring in Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Atletico Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori next month, meaning either Dovbyk or on-loan Brighton striker Evan Ferguson need to make space.
Roma seek deal with West Ham or Sunderland for Dovbyk
West Ham were themselves linked to signing Zirkzee from Old Trafford in the summer under Graham Potter.
But now they could be part of the knock-on effect from him returning to Serie A in what is reported by Gazzetta dello Sport to be a January loan with a close-to-€40million (£34.92m) obligation to buy if Roma qualify for the Champions League.
To make space the Italians are reportedly negotiating with Brighton over a termination to Ferguson’s loan but his wages are proving complicated.
And with Dovbyk the club are seeking an agreement with West Ham or Sunderland over a €22m-plus-bonses (£19.21m) sale.
There is, however, also the possibility of Roma and Everton, both owned by The Friedkin Group, working out a straight swap deal for the Ukrainian and Toffees forward Beto.
- Read More: West Ham shambles knows no bounds as Nuno press conference cut short ahead of Fulham clash
West Ham striker search confused as ever
West Ham’s record with signing strikers over the past decade or longer has been pretty dismal and the scattergun approach ahead of January won’t inspire huge confidence of an improvement.
Given the lack of cost involved the free agent arrival of Callum Wilson in the summer is proving to be a moderate success for once, but the Fullkrug deal is the latest expensive misfire even if he seemed to suit the Premier League on paper.
West Ham have been linked to Jorgen Strand Larsen, Ivan Toney, Josh Sargent, and Moise Kean ahead of the market opening in the New Year, but as so often with the Hammers under David Sullivan it could be anyone who actually ends up in claret and blue.
Whoever comes in will have to have the backing of Nuno Espirito Santo because the developing relegation battle this side are in can’t afford to have reinforcements not contributing.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest West Ham United news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @westhamzone247