West Ham United and Arsenal eye move for in-demand sensation after agent change
West Ham are eyeing a Hajduk Split’s Rokas Pukstas with the Croatian side is expecting bids to arrive for the player this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
Simon Jones reported via the paper’s website on 29 May that Irons are joined by Arsenal and Aston Villa with an interest in the “all action midfielder”, 19, who is said to be keen to make a step up during the transfer window.
In addition, the American youngster is attracting strong attention from Germany in particular as European clubs take notice, while Pukstas reportedly recently changed agents, to increase speculation that an imminent transfer may be on the cards.
West Ham also face Aston Villa and German competition
With Lucas Paqueta’s status very much up in the air now that he has been charged by the FA over alleged breaches of betting rules an attacking midfielder who contributes goals could be an important addition this summer.
But if the Irons are able to overcome what looks like extensive competition in the Premier League and across Europe it would seem that Pukstas is more of one for the future, given his age and lack of experience in a top five league.
Clearly he has demonstrated sufficient talent during his time at Hajduk Split to convince a number of clubs that he has what he takes so, assuming Julen Lopetegui is ready to give more of a chance to youngsters and those who are unproven in the English top flight than David Moyes largely was, he might be a good target to go after at this early stage.
But Tim Steidten is surely going to need to bring in plenty more established reinforcements for the new manager’s attacking ranks.
West Ham looked badly in need of forward additions in January even before Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma left, with the disastrous Kalvin Phillips loan only seeming to confirm as much over the second half of the season.
Attention has so far focused on defensive areas, but even the fast start that has been targeted ahead of the new manager’s official arrival appears to have run into trouble with Patricio Bruno’s move now in doubt [Vene Casagrande, 29 May].
In other West Ham news, a current Irons attacker is being lined up for an exit to a former side where he had great success.
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