Sources: West Ham new signing priority revealed after double deal agreed
West Ham will next prioritise the signing of a marquee striker once a double deal for James Ward-Prowse and Harry Maguire is finalised, sources have told Football Insider.
The Irons are putting the finishing touches on the signing of the England international duo after agreeing deals worth £30million each with their respective clubs.
As well as selling captain Declan Rice to Arsenal, West Ham have also lost Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta – leaving a gap in David Moyes’ attacking options on the eve of the new Premier League season.
Moyes has just Michail Antonio and Danny Ings to call on to lead the line in Saturday’s (12 August) season-opener against Bournemouth.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that West Ham are scouring Europe and South America for potential striker targets with three weeks left of the summer window.
It is also believed that Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun is on the radar at the London Stadium.
Football Insider revealed earlier this summer (26 June) that the Gunners are ready to let Balogun leave the club this summer following his successful loan at Stade de Reims in the 2022-23 campaign.
Inter Milan are among the top sides to be heavily linked with a potential move for the United States international.
Balogun notched 22 goals and three assists across 39 appearances in all competitions in his temporary spell at Reims last term.
It is believed Arsenal academy graduate is keen to lay down roots at a permanent home if he is to exit his boyhood club this summer – and will not consider another loan spell.
Meanwhile, West Ham’s top scorer in the 2022-23 campaign – Antonio – managed just 14 goals across all competitions.
In other news, West Ham man agrees Wolves move.