West Ham United are reportedly set to launch an offer for Montpellier forward Gaetan Laborde as David Moyes eyes attacking reinforcements.
According to a report from French outlet Midi Libre, West Ham United are poised to make an opening offer to secure the services of French striker Gaetan Laborde from Ligue 1 club Montpellier HSC.
A product of the Bordeaux youth academy, Laborde had loan stints away at Red Star FC, Stade Brest 29 and Clermont Foot before he made his way to Montpellier in the summer of 2018 on a free transfer. A regular in the side since, the 27-year-old has racked up 116 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit, scoring 38 goals and setting up 20 more.
While those numbers are nothing to write home about, Laborde’s performances over the past year have been top-notch. The Frenchman ended the 2020/21 season with a tally of 18 goals and nine assists from 38 games across all competitions. Furthermore, the versatile forward, who can play as a No. 9 or on the right flank, has scored two in two Ligue 1 outings in the new season.
Laborde’s partnership with Andy Delort was a deadly one in Ligue 1 last term, and Montpellier are now running the risk of losing both their star forwards this summer, with West Ham lining up a move for the former.
It has been a hugely frustrating transfer window for West Ham, who were in desperate need of strengthening the squad, especially after having earned qualification to the UEFA Europa League for the season. However, only Alphonse Areola has arrived at the London Stadium so far this summer, on a loan deal from Paris Saint-Germain.
A new centre-back remains a top priority for David Moyes & co., along with a new forward. Having sold Sebastien Haller midway through the last season, the Hammers did not sign a replacement and went through the season with Michail Antonio as the sole option for the No. 9 role. That needs to be addressed at any cost before the transfer window closes.
This has seen West Ham get linked with several names such as Mohamed Bayo of Clermont Foot and Luuk de Jong of Sevilla, with Laborde also emerging as a serious option. In fact, it seems like the east London giants are ready to take their interest in the 27-year-old to the next level and are ready to make an opening offer for the striker.
Montpellier president Laurent Nicollin has admitted that there is a possibility that Laborde will leave this summer. It now remains to be seen if West Ham are able to pounce and land the 27-year-old’s signing before the transfer window slams shut in over a week.
