West Ham face battle for £8m-rated forward from London rivals – report

Mon 12 June 2017 20:36, UK

By Danny Wright

West Ham are one of three clubs interested in Brentford’s Jota, according to a report.

News outlet West London Sport claims that the Hammers are set to battle Everton and newly promoted Newcastle for the wide forward, who has been in hot form since being recalled from a loan spell at La Liga club Eibar during the festive period.

It is understood that Brentford value Jota at £8million after he scored 12 goals and supplied five assists in 21 Championship appearances, but want to open negotiations with him for a new contract as his current deal is set to expire in 2018.

However West London Sport reports that he could leave Griffin Park at the end of next season for free as Brentford are not prepared to sell him for lower than their set valuation.

Jota was said to be unhappy at West Ham’s London rivals Brentford and was sent to Eibar on an 18-month-long loan deal in January last year.

However he was recalled six months early and hit the ground running back in England, which now appears to have attracted attention from three Premier League clubs who are expected to have a busy summer on their hands.

Football Insider Verdict

Jota looks like a very handy attacker, who can play on both wings or can also slot into the centre of midfield. However it’s hard to see that if he is the kind of player that West Ham really need. Slaven Bilic needs to make some solid reinforcements this summer, and his number one priority should be a striker. Jota can’t be expected to play in that position so £8million should be invested elsewhere as Bilic already has some good wide forwards in his current squad. Robert Snodgrass and Sofiane Feghouli could improve this season while Michail Antonio does not need improving on.