Nick Ware

Sat 7 August 2021 18:10, UK

Fabrizio Romano says he has not heard anything about 25-year-old Gabonese striker Aaron Boupendza amid recent reports of a bid from West Ham.

A number of Turkish outlets have relayed the claims, including Fanatik who said that “news in the Gabon press” claimed West Ham have made a £7million offer for the Hatayspor forward.

Appearing via a live broadcast on his Twitch account on Friday night [06/08/21], Italian transfer guru Romano was asked about the Turkish Super Lig attacker.

First, he read out a question from viewers of his stream, saying: “Have you heard anything about Boupendza?”

Romano replied: “To be honest with you, no, I didn’t.”

Flash in the pan?

Boupendza only joined Hatayspor last year, but he enjoyed a sensational debut campaign as he became the top goalscorer in the Turkish top-flight for the season, with his tally of 22 goals at least three more than any of his challengers.

Tha’s particularly impressive as he didn’t win it with one of the big clubs in the division like Besiktas, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.

But there comes a risk attached, in that he has not been a prolific scorer in a top-flight league before.

Championship outfit Middlesbrough have recently been linked with Boupendza as well, and that may be a more realistic destination for the 17-capped Gabon international.

Of course, West Ham supporters are dreaming of a big-name striker to compliment Michail Antonio, someone like Tammy Abraham.

But, at this rate, we may have to settle for someone like Boupendza, and at least he would come in confident form.

Nothing appears imminent, though, with Romano claiming to have no knowledge of anything, and he’s usually one to be clued up on potential transfers around Europe.

In other West Ham news, Roshane Thomas has delivered an update on this Euros star after a Friday report of an Irons bid.

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