West Ham United have reportedly submitted an improved offer for Hugo Ekitike, hoping Reims would accept the latest proposal after reportedly rejecting their initial bid.
According to Le10Sport, West Ham United are inclined to keep their pursuit of Reims forward Hugo Ekitike going after submitting an improved offer to the French club. The 19-year-old features on the radar of big clubs across the continent, with the Hammers prepared to take their chances before the transfer deadline.
West Ham United had come into the market to shore up key areas of their squad. Bringing in a striker was understandably a primary focus, as David Moyes wanted to sign a player to compete with main man Michail Antonio.
Moyes felt the shortage in the striking department after Antonio went through a patch without scoring and was vulnerable to miss games through fitness concerns. The idea of a team challenging for the top-four places and in the Europa League going into the second half of the season with a single striker was daunting enough for the West Ham manager.
They have been on the trails of many players, with Moyes keen on a particular profile, which should also suit their budget. They did make an offer for Clermont forward Mohamed Bayo, but the French club rejected it as they sought at least €20 million for their 23-year-old frontman.
The Hammers also had another forward on their radar, in the form of Hugo Ekitike. But Reims also rejected their proposal, as they were holding out for a higher fee for the 19-year-old. In Ekitike’s case, West Ham are prepared to improve their offer, with a reported €25 million bid already on the table.
It is a tricky situation for West Ham, considering the amount and quality of interest from other clubs in Ekitike. There are attractive names such as Real Madrid in the equation, although a lot will depend on where the young star gets to flourish and play regularly.
West Ham can offer exactly that, although he will have to compete in Moyes’s attractively built squad. There is also competition from rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, which shows Ekitike does not have a shortage of suitors, especially from the Premier League.
Moreover, the report claims even a fee of €25 million won’t be enough for Reims, which suggests West Ham’s chances of landing this highly-talented attacking sensation are waning, as we head towards the final few days before the transfer market slams to a shut.
