(Credit: Imago)

Ben Palmer

Mon 2 June 2025 15:40, UK

West Ham are eyeing a deal for former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic but face competition from two Premier League rivals.

The Hammers are expected to be busy in the coming transfer window as they look to rectify the issues that led to a disappointing 14th-placed finish last season.

Exit-linked Jarrod Bowen was the East London club’s top scorer with 13, whilst the next three highest goal-getters were Tomas Soucek, Mohammed Kudus, and Lucas Paqueta, all of whom have been linked with an exit this summer.

With Michail Antonio still recovering from his injury sustained earlier in the year, and Niclas Fullkrug struggling to have an impact on the pitch, West Ham looks likely to target a new striker in the coming transfer window.

According to talkSPORT, that man could be former Newcastle and Fulham striker Mitrovic, but they will face competition for his signature.

Aleksandar Mitrovic willing to take pay cut with West Ham, Man United, Everton interested

As reported, it is understood that the Serbian striker is available for around £40million this summer, with Mitrovic even “prepared to take a pay cut” to seal a move.

Sky News reported that the 30-year-old is earning upwards of £400,000-a-week in Saudi Arabia.

The striker is a target for Man United who are looking for Liam Delap alternatives after missing out to Chelsea.

With a return back to the Premier League on the cards this summer, both West Ham and Everton are also “monitoring the situation”.

Al-Hilal are reportedly prepared to sell or loan Mitrovic, but “suitors may have to be patient” as the SPL club are preparing to participate in the Club World Cup and would want to finalise a replacement before letting the ex-Fulham man go.

The striker has netted 68 goals in 79 games whilst in the Middle East, and overcame a health scare earlier in the season when he was side-lined with an abnormal heart rhythm [BBC Sport].

Aleksandar Mitrovic offers solution to West Ham’s number nine issue

Football Insider Verdict

Try as they might, West Ham have just never been able to replace Antonio as their starting number nine.

Evan Ferguson, Fullkrug, Gianluca Scamacca, Danny Ings, and Sebastien Haller have made the move to East London since 2021, but none have been able to find their feet for a sustained period.

So, what makes Mitrovic different from the group above?

Ings and Ferguson both have Premier League experience, but joined whilst out of form.

Fullkrug, Scamacca, and Haller, whilst in form on their arrival, had no experience in England and struggled to settle, wilted under the weight of the pressure and the price tag, or simply had bad luck with injuries.

Mitrovic offers a combination of both form and experience – his last season in the Premier League saw him score 14 goals in 24 games – and he has been dominant in the SPL.

Whilst there is every chance he suffers the same misfortune as Fullkrug has with injuries, if the Hammers can sign him and keep the 30-year-old healthy, they will have a guaranteed source of goals.