West Ham has identified a former Tottenham winger, Steven Bergwijn, as a top target for this month’s transfer activities, but the potential deal is expected to come with a substantial price tag, as per reports.
Amid discussions about the possible departure of winger Said Benrahma, who is rumored to be attracting interest from Lyon, the Hammers are reportedly contemplating the potential sale of the 28-year-old, valuing him around £20 million. Should Lyon find this valuation prohibitive, Premier League clubs such as Fulham and Wolves could step in as potential suitors.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has indicated that West Ham is also considering new arrivals, particularly if significant departures from the squad are sanctioned. Notably, there have been reports indicating the club’s openness to the unexpected sale of center-back Nayef Aguerd.
Moreover, West Ham is actively seeking a new striker, with Jarrod Bowen often deployed out of position as a makeshift centre-forward in the current season. Romano further disclosed that Bergwijn, who previously had an underwhelming spell at Tottenham following a promising start at PSV Eindhoven, is within West Ham’s sights.
Bergwijn’s initial move to Tottenham in 2020, amid high expectations due to his Eredivisie exploits, did not yield the desired results, prompting his eventual return to Ajax in 2022. Despite Ajax’s openness to parting ways with the player for the right offer, a notable price tag has been attached to Bergwijn, aligning with previous reports that Ajax is seeking around €40 million (approximately £35 million) for the player.
As Bergwijn’s performances have not matched the earlier heights of his career, it’s evident that West Ham would face a substantial gamble if they were to proceed with an offer at the price point suggested by Ajax. In the current Eredivisie campaign, Bergwijn has recorded seven goals and two assists in 13 league appearances. Hence, should West Ham choose to pursue their interest in Bergwijn, negotiations are likely to commence well below Ajax’s ambitious valuation, reflecting the uncertain dynamics of the potential deal.