West Ham United’s ambitions of securing a coveted transfer target might be slipping away, with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly gaining momentum to snatch up the red-hot striker first.
West Ham, eager to bolster their attacking options, especially with Michail Antonio sidelined and Danny Ings not always a preferred starter for David Moyes, have been eyeing Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez. Jarrod Bowen’s commendable stint as a makeshift forward has been noteworthy, but Moyes recognizes the need for a long-term solution, especially with Bowen nursing an ankle injury.
Gimenez, a shining star for Feyenoord in the past two seasons, boasts an impressive record, scoring 28 goals from 50 games last season and already notching up 20 strikes in just 22 appearances this campaign. Despite West Ham’s interest, a recent setback has emerged, suggesting that Arsenal and Tottenham are better positioned to secure the 22-year-old’s signature in 2024.
Football Insider reports that the North London rivals can present Feyenoord with ‘better deals’ than West Ham. The proposed price tag for Gimenez stands at £30-40 million, with the potential for an escalation in a bidding war if the clubs involved continue their pursuit.
Feyenoord, considering Gimenez’s integral role in their season objectives, is inclined to retain him during January, possibly entertaining negotiations in the summer. This development, coupled with Arsenal and Spurs intensifying their efforts to secure Gimenez, could force West Ham to explore alternative striker options.
One such alternative is Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy, although the striker’s impressive form has attracted interest from various European teams. Another budget option for West Ham could be 22-year-old Chelsea forward Armando Broja, likely to be pursued on loan.
Arsenal, spurred by the news of Ivan Toney staying at Brentford, are keen to ramp up their pursuit of Gimenez, aiming to address concerns about the ruthlessness of their current strikers, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
Meanwhile, Spurs, still feeling the void left by Harry Kane’s departure, are considering their options, with Richarlison showing signs of improvement, but the jury remains out on the Brazilian. As the transfer saga unfolds, the battle for Gimenez’s signature takes an unexpected turn, leaving West Ham to reconsider their striker targets amid heightened competition. Stay tuned for the dramatic twists in this high-stakes transfer race!