West Ham United

West Ham United

Premier League • England

West Ham given clear run to sign 73-goal forward as David Moyes learns affordable price

Gerard Deulofeu of Udinese Calcio during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona Naples Italy

West Ham have been seemingly given the green light to pursue a deal for Gerard Deulofeu after Udinese’s president set the Hammers an easily-affordable price tag.

David Moyes’ side have enjoyed another excellent season and at one stage looked strong pursuers of a Champions League place. However, a drop in form in the Premier League, means that looks likely to narrowly elude them. Indeed, Tottenham currently occupy fourth place, with Arsenal three points adrift in fifth and West Ham another three below them in sixth.

Nonetheless, it’s been a satisfying season for Moyes and Co. And it could get even better if they can pick up a win against Lyon in their Europa League quarter-final second leg this week. In fact, victory in the Europa League would not only see the Hammers lift a trophy, but also book a place in the Champions League.

Nonetheless, West Ham will continue their push for a return to European competition next season via the Premier League. That said, they are perhaps a trifle handicapped by a smaller squad than many of their rivals.

One area that West Ham have lacked options at is in attack. While the Hammers boast a number of talented forwards, the lack of cover at No 9 remains a concern.

Indeed, they have tried and failed to fill that hole ever since Sebastien Haller was sold to Ajax on the cheap. To that end, the likes of Youssef En-Nesyri and, more recently, Darwin Nunez, have been mentioned as possible targets.

In addition, TEAMtalk sources understand that the club are also keeping tabs on Alexandre Lacazette’s situation at Arsenal.

However, another name that persistently crops up is Deulofeu, the former Barcelona, Milan and Everton star.

Pact made to sell Deulofeu

Currently at Udinese, he made the move to the Stadio Frieli in summer 2020.

A quick and skilful player, Deulofeu has done well in Italy, scoring 10 times in 26 matches this season.

However, the player’s time at Udine is coming to an end this season. The club’s owner, Gino Pozzo, reportedly has a pact with the 28-year-old’s agent to move him on this summer.

That’s a stance that has been confirmed by Italian journalist Matteo Moretto. He claims that, due to his lowly wages, he will be allowed to move on this summer.

He currently only earns £48,000 a week – earnings that he could comfortably increase by moving back to England.

Gerard Deulofeu is set for Premier League comeback with West Ham

Gerard Deulofeu is set for Premier League comeback with West Ham

Gerard Deulofeu is a target for West Ham as former Watford and Everton winger looks set for a Premier League return

Furthermore, he’s being labelled an ‘easy signing’ for suitors West Ham amid claims of a lowly price tag. Indeed, as per Moretto, Pozzo is asking for between £12.5m and £15m for the forward.

And the reporter concludes that teams in England are already asking about Deulofeu. And it all seems to point to a move to West Ham for the four-times capped Spain star, who has 73 career goals to date.

Moyes addresses West Ham striker shortage

Moyes himself has never hidden from the fact that West Ham need more striking options.

Speaking openly about their January failure, Moyes said: “It would be unfair [just to mention West Ham]. I think a lot of clubs did not buy players in January.

“We were very serious about trying to bring players to the club in January but for different reasons, it did not happen.”

Looking to the rest of the season, Moyes said last month: “We know we are a little bit short of where we would like to be, the squad I have at the moment have done a brilliant job over the last two years and I have no reason to think they will not do a brilliant job in the coming three months between now and the end of the season.”