West Ham United stance on Eddie Nketiah emerges as Marseille ready transfer offer
West Ham United could make a move to sign Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah soon amid interest from Marseille, according to Caught Offside.
The outlet reported on its website on Thursday (11 July) that the Ligue 1 club are preparing to make an opening offer in the region of £21million to try and prize the 25-year-old away from the Emirates.
Arsenal are understood to be looking for a fee between £29.5million and £33.7million and believe they will be able to hold out for a larger fee because of interest from several Premier League clubs.
The Hammers alongside Everton, Brentford and Crystal Palace are all understood to be interested in Nketiah and sources believe all four clubs may move to secure his signature sooner rather than later.
Nketiah is believed to be open and willing to leave the Emirates in search of a new challenge having fallen down Mikel Arteta’s pecking order and being limited to only 10 Premier League starts last term.
Will West Ham United sign Eddie Nketiah amid Arsenal exit speculation?
Having already bolstered his defence with the signing of Max Kilman this summer, Julen Lopetegui’s top priority between now and the start of the Premier League season is understood to be recruiting a new centre-forward [Evening Standard, 9 July].
While Michail Antonio has remained as reliable as ever, finding a consistent striker has proved to be a bit of a problem for the Hammers over the last few seasons and Tim Steidten and Lopetegui know a new number nine is a must.
West Ham are looking at several different options and Nketiah won’t be the only name on their list, but he certainly stands out as a player who could have an impressive impact in a claret and blue shirt.
His minutes have been limited at the Emirates over the last 12 months or so and a move to the London Stadium would allow him to stay close to home but also start week in and week out in the Premier League.
The Irons should have no issue when it comes to berating their English rivals to his signature and the only question will be whether or not they feel Arsenal’s valuation is a fair one.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano has shared a new update about the Hammers’ interest in a summer move for Jean-Clair Todibo
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