West Ham United give Kamarai Simon-Sawyer permission at new club ahead of transfer decision
West Ham United have given Kamarai Simon-Swyer permission to train with Gillingham ahead of a summer transfer.
Speaking to KentOnline [15 July], manager Mark Bonner revealed that the 21-year-old striker has been training with the Gills at the start of pre-season so they can take a closer look at him.
Swyer spent last season on loan at Crawley Town and looks set to leave the Hammers permanently this summer now, and has already featured in a pre-season friendly against Millwall.
“West Ham gave him permission to be in for a couple days and train,” he said.
“It’s a good chance for us to have a look at him before we make a decision on whether we do anything on that one, and whether he wants to do it.
“It is an option of many in those attacking positions, pleased to see him play and one for us to think about.”
West Ham need new striker transfer this summer
The striker department at the London Stadium is in dire need of some new options and additions this summer.
Michail Antonio is wanted by MLS and Saudi clubs [The Athletic, 15 May], and Danny Ings is wanted back at his former club Southampton [talkSPORT, 28 May], which would leave the club with no senior striker options.
Jarrod Bowen was the man who led the line at times in the 2023/24 campaign and he had a fantastic time of it, but his preferred role is as a right-winger and that is where he is always at his best.
With new striker options likely to come in, there’s clearly not a first-team future for Simon-Swyers at the London Stadium and it makes sense to let him move on.
Giving him permission to train elsewhere makes the likelihood of a transfer greater, and he’s not missed in the first-team picture so it’s a situation that makes complete sense for everyone involved and suggests transfers are going to happen this summer upfront.
In other West Ham news, the club face “formidable” competition from Saudi Arabia for this new attacker transfer with personal terms not an issue.
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