Star’s best qualities named with West Ham set to beat Everton, Villa to £30m deal

Dwight McNeil, Chris Wood, Burnley stars

West Ham are being backed to win the race to sign Chris Wood this summer – and one observer reckons he’s got the perfect credentials to star for the Hammers in 2021/22.

The Hammers want to add a new striker to their squad this summer. While Michail Antonio has proved himself in recent times, he has an unfortunate record with injury. What’s more, previous signings have not worked out; the club sold record arrival Sebastian Haller for a loss in January.

As a result, previous reports have mentioned Wood as a transfer target for David Moyes’ side.

The New Zealand international hit 12 Premier League goals last season, with the Clarets only scoring 33 overall.

The Hammers, however, are not alone in their admiration for the former Leeds striker. The Kiwi has also been linked with moves to both Everton and Aston Villa.

However, Noel Whelan thinks the Hammers are likely to land the striker this summer.

His signing is likely to cost in the region of £30m. And while he’s not the big-name signing Hammers fans might crave, Wood has the qualities needed to shine at the London Stadium.

It’s difficult for West Ham now, they are going into Europe,” Whelan told Football Insider.

“Transfers and transfer funds have to be right. There’s never a guarantee a player will emulate what they have done at another club.

“Look at Robbie Keane from Tottenham to Liverpool, he wasn’t the same player. He didn’t have the same amount of goals or assists.

“Sometimes that happens. Wood has done really well at Burnley. He’s their top scorer, their focal point, the main striker.

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“But you’re always taking a risk. The only thing he can bring is that he knows the Premier League.

“If you give him service he will probably score goals. He’s got a good temperament. He won’t spit his dummy out.

Wood is a fighter, he will work across that top line and bring those other quality attackers into play.

“You can see him in the kit, you can see him out there. He fits the bill for them, more than Everton, with the way they play now.

“He isn’t the big-name West Ham want but recently, those big names haven’t worked out for them.”

Agbonlahor backing Wood to shine with Hammers

With Europa League football on the menu for West Ham, this summer promises to be a big one for Moyes.

And former Villa man Gabriel Agbonlahor also believes Wood would prove an astute signing for the Hammers.

“Wood’s a very, very good player and wherever he goes, that team is going to get goals out of him,” the pundit said.

“Maybe West Ham would be good. They’ve only got Antonio so they need to cover and maybe he could give them a different style of player.

“You don’t want the same type of striker on the bench.

“They’ve got the Europa League too, so West Ham probably need two more strikers. Wood would be a good option.”

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