West Ham well placed to agree loan-to-buy signing – sources
West Ham are well-placed to agree a deal to sign RB Leipzig striker Andre Silva on loan this month, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the Hammers would prefer a loan move with an obligation to buy rather than having to pay a big fee in this window.
Graham Potter is looking to sign a striker before the 3 February deadline following injuries to Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug which have left him short of options.
However, they are said to be reluctant to spend big on a striker given the impact on Fullkrug’s role in the side once he returns to full fitness.
Leipzig, meanwhile, are willing to let the 29-year-old leave as he has yet to start a Bundesliga game this season, and has started just two of his 15 appearances in all competitions.
Silva has dropped out of Marco Rose’s first-team plans, opening up the possibility of a loan move as they look to clear his wages from their bill.
West Ham plot loan move to sign RB Leipzig’s Andre Silva
Silva is highly-regarded at West Ham as a result of his top-level experience with the likes of AC Milan, Frankfurt, Porto and Sevilla.
He is also a Portugal international and has scored 19 goals in 53 senior appearances for his country, with whom he lifted the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
However, there are some concerns that his best days are now behind him at 29, given his weakened role in the Leipzig side behind Arsenal-linked Benjamin Sesko.
His contract with the German outfit is set to expire in 2026, leading to suggestions that a cut-price deal could be available in the summer when he will have just one year remaining.
As a result, the Hammers are keen to make the most of his potential availability and there is a belief that a loan move would be the best move for all parties.
In other news, insider shares new update on Ansu Fati to West Ham.
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