Everton and West Ham United are reportedly among the Premier League clubs vying to sign 25-year-old Villarreal ace Arnaut Danjuma.
According to Calciomercato, Everton and West Ham United are poised to enter a transfer battle to sign Villarreal’s Dutch forward Arnaut Danjuma in the summer window.
Having progressed through the ranks at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, Danjuma had stints at NEC Nijmegen and Club Brugge before earning a move to the Premier League in 2019, when he signed for Bournemouth. His first year in England was marred by despair due to recurring injuries, which kept him out for an extended period as the Cherries succumbed to relegation from the top-flight.
However, his second season was the one that catapulted the winger into the limelight as he contributed with 17 goals and eight assists in all competitions for Bournemouth in the 2020/21 campaign. Danjuma caught the eye of La Liga side Villarreal CF, who shelled out around €23.5 million to secure his services last year.
And it would be an understatement to say that the 25-year-old attacker has taken La Liga like a duck to water. Danjuma has thrived in a hybrid striker role under Unai Emery, bagging 12 goals and providing three assists in 22 appearances across all competitions for the Yellow Submarine, while also breaking into the Dutch national side.
There’s a release clause into Arnaut Danjuma contract and it’s worth €75m, valid in the summer. Villarreal manager Unai Emery loves him – he’s now also playing as hybrid striker. ??? #Villarreal
8 goals in Liga, 4 goals in UCL… and English top clubs are monitoring Danjuma. pic.twitter.com/t2hmbqQnEw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 22, 2022
The Dutch ace has been particularly impressive in the Champions League, and his exploits have not gone unnoticed. He was previously on the radars of Liverpool in January before they bought Luis Diaz from FC Porto. Now, Everton and West Ham United are interested in a summer swoop for the Villarreal starlet.
The Toffees could look to freshen up their roster in the summer, and one of the areas that lack quality depth is their offensive department. With Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin their only major goalscoring threats, they can make do by adding more firepower to their frontline.
To that end, Danjuma could be a fantastic signing for the Blues and would add dynamism and creativity to their attack. That said, the 25-year-old might be reluctant to join a club that is not in Europe after experiencing Champions League football with Villarreal this season.
West Ham would present a far more appealing proposition to the former Bournemouth ace. The Hammers are well-stocked in wide areas, but with star winger Jarrod Bowen heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, the club could do well by planning in advance. Arnaut Danjuma fits the bill perfectly and looks to have all the characteristics of a David Moyes signing – young, athletic, powerful, speedy and with an eye for a goal.
Apart from West Ham and Everton, Manchester United have recently been linked to the Dutchman’s signature, while Newcastle are also keeping close track of his situation. The 25-year-old is under contract at the Ceramica until 2026 and boasts a massive €75 million buy-out clause, which will become valid in the summer.
With the list of suitors ever-increasing, the Spanish outfit could struggle to keep hold of his services but are certain to demand a hefty pay-check to relinquish their prized asset.
