West Ham close in on striker signing after weekend transfer talks - report

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Published on:

08 Jan 2017, 1:54 am

By Harry Sykes

West Ham have made a major breakthrough in their attempts to sign a new striker this month, according to a report.

The Mail claim that the London club are closing in on the signing of Brentford spearhead Scott Hogan.

It is said that the Hammers are working on a £12.5million deal and that "further talks" have been held this weekend with the Championship outfit.

With a 30 per cent sell-on clause inserted in the deal that took Hogan to Brentford from former club Rochdale in 2014, the second-tier club are holding out for as big a price as possible.

Bees senior figures know they are vulnerable to losing Hogan, as he is out of contract in the summer of 2018 and has snubbed talks about an extension.

The 24-year-old has been in prolific form this season, scoring 14 goals from 25 Championship matches.

The Mail report that West Ham have feelers out to a number of clubs in a bid to strengthen a forward line that has failed to fire this season.

The Londoners have made enquiries for Southampton striker Shane Long and Hull attacking midfielder Robert Snodgrass, and are waiting to see if Jermain Defoe will push for a return to the club where he made his name before upping their £6million bid.

Slaven Bilic's side were thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup on Friday night and will now concentrate on securing a top-ten league finish demanded by their owners.

In other West Ham transfer news, the club have been installed odds-on favourites to sign a Premier League midfield goal machine this month.

West Ham United

Scott Hogan