West Ham handed emphatic decision in pursuit of £8m goalscorer – report
By Matt Farr
Premier League rivals West Ham and Arsenal have been battling it out for the signature of highly-rated attacker Landry Dimata, according to a report.
German news outlet Bild claimed that the 19-year-old goalscorer was on the radar of both clubs, who are seeking attacking reinforcements to bolster their ranks ahead of the new season.
However, it was also reported that Bundesliga giants VFL Wolfsburg were also coveting his services, and it has now been confirmed that the player has agreed a five-year-deal with the German club.
Wolfsburg announced the confirmed deal on their official club website on Monday.
It was not clear if West Ham had made any formal approach for the Belgian youngster, who scored 14 goals for Oostende last season, but the emphatic decision to choose Wolfsburg over the London club could still leave the Hammers reeling.
The exact financial details of the transfer were not disclosed when Wolfsburg unveiled the player on their website earlier this week, but the Bild report claims that a deal could be worth as much as £8million with add-ons.
Dimata is currently part of the Belgian Under-21 setup, but has been talked up by experts as the ‘next Romelu Lukaku’.
Football Insider verdict
There is interest, and then there is concrete interest. Given West Ham’s reported interest has emerged only after the player has joined Wolfsburg, it appears likely that the Hammers didn’t give a move for Dimata too much thought. Nevertheless, had they pursued a summer deal, his age and potential meant he could have been a bright future prospect in the Premier League. But there are clearly better, and more proven options out there for West Ham to seek-out to put an end to their goalscoring woes, and a deal has quite rightly, been avoided.
In other West Ham transfer news, the Hammers could seal this midfielder deal in the next fortnight as talks begin.
We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all West Ham breaking news.