Red Bull Salzburg forward Patson Daka, who has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool, has been offered to fellow Premier League club West Ham United.
According to a report from the Express, Red Bull Salzburg’s Zambian forward Patson Daka has been offered to Premier League side West Ham United, amid interest from rivals Arsenal and Liverpool.
Having spent his formative years with clubs in his homeland Zambia, Daka made the switch to Europe in January 2017, joining Austrian outfit FC Liefering. Six months later, the 22-year-old moved to Red Bull Salzburg. Having had to play second-fiddle to Erling Haaland for in the early phases of his career at the club, the striker has burst into life over the past eighteen months or so.
Daka plundered 27 goals and 12 assists in 45 games across all competitions and has continued in the same vein of form in the ongoing campaign as well. So far in 2020/21, the Zambian forward has produced a return of 15 goals and 5 assists from 17 matches.
Daka’s exploits in Austria have put him on the radars of several big clubs including Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool. The Gunners have a packed attacking unit with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah, Willian, Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli all available at Mikel Arteta’s disposal.
However, barring Saka none of the players have been doing well this season. Martinelli impressed upon returning from his long-term injury but succumbed to another one last week. Furthermore, with Lacazette’s deal expiring in eighteen months, question marks remain over his future, thus making Daka a viable target for them.
Along with Arsenal, Liverpool also interested in Daka. The Reds have a well-settled attacking unit in Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, with Diogo Jota also making a huge impact since arriving in the summer. Having said that, Liverpool might need to bolster their attack in the near future as Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi face an uncertain future at Anfield.
Daka, who can play anywhere across the front three, would, thus, be a good addition for Jurgen Klopp’s side. However, it seems like Arsenal and Liverpool could both miss out on signing the Zambian international as he has been offered to fellow Premier League outfit West Ham United.
David Moyes’s Hammers sold Sebastien Haller to AFC Ajax earlier this month, leaving them with Michail Antonio as the only viable option to lead the line. To that end, the East Londoners are in the market for a new striker this month, with Real Madrid’s Mariano Diaz touted to be a target.
However, they have now been offered the chance to complete the signing of Daka from Salzburg in a deal worth £25 million. It remains to be seen if West Ham push through a deal for the Zambian international before the January transfer window slams shut. For now, it looks like Arsenal and Liverpool’s hopes of signing the 22-year-old have been dealt a blow.
