Reliable journalist: Major update in West Ham pursuit of prolific Premier League ace
By Matt Farr
West Ham are still in the race to sign Robert Snodgrass from Hull this month, according to a reliable journalist.
Premier League rivals Burnley have emerged as the favourites to land the prolific 29-year-old winger after Sky Sports reported in their transfer centre blog on Wednesday (10:49am) that the Clarets have had a £10million bid accepted for the player.
But, in a major update to the transfer saga, Guardian deputy sports news editor Ed Aarons has given hope to Hammers fans with the news that West Ham have not yet given up hope of bringing the Scotland international to the Olympic Stadium.
He claimed on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon that the Hammers were still in contention to land what is arguably the Premier League’s most-coveted signature.
However, the Hammers have yet to submit an improved offer for Snodgrass, having had two bids rejected by Hull for his services – the last one reported to have been £6million rising to £7.5million with add-ons.
If Slaven Bilic’s side are still keen, they will need to act very fast to prevent Burnley from running away with the transfer.
Snodgrass has been in impressive form for Hull this season, and has contributed nine goals and four assists from 24 appearances in all competitions. He has an impressive seven goals from 20 Premier League games.
Bilic is keen to bring that quality and return in front of goal to the Hammers before the transfer window slams shut next week, with his side currently lacking in the final-third.
Attacking reinforcements were the immediate priority for the club at the start of the month, but they have so far had little success.
Experienced defender Jose Fonte remains their single first-team addition, joining from Southampton in an £8million deal last week.
Football Insider verdict
Burnley are making significant progress in their bid to land Snodgrass, and West Ham have yet to show their hand once again. They are going to have to do so within the next 24 hours, otherwise they risk losing out on yet another of their top transfer targets. Snodgrass would add a great deal to West Ham, with his quality delivery, set-piece taking, and goalscoring ability; particularly with the ongoing uncertainty over the future of Dimitri Payet. The Scotland international has the quality to make a real difference to West Ham’s season, and could easily lift them to a top-half finish at the end of the campaign.
In other West Ham transfer news, co-chairman David Gold has tweeted an update on the club’s transfer activity.
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