Reims are reportedly asking for at least €30 million to sanction the sale of 19-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike to West Ham United before the transfer deadline.
According to Calciomercato, West Ham United have been told to pay at least €30 million if they want to sign 19-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike this month. Time is running out for the Hammers to secure an attacking signing with the transfer window set to close on Monday.
West Ham United have been chasing an attacker in this transfer window as David Moyes gears up for the second half of the season. There is a Premier League top-four race to contend with alongside UEFA Europa League and FA Cup campaigns.
While the Hammers have done admirably well in each of those competitions so far, they are still operating on a tight squad. Moyes was expected to sign a defensive player in this window. However, the Scottish manager is keen on bringing in an attacking talent to improve his options in the final third.
The primary idea was to sign a competitor for Michail Antonio, who has led the line on his own for the longest time. West Ham have had the likes of Mohamed Bayo and Reims’s 19-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike in mind. They have continued to pursue the latter in the final days of the month,
West Ham had lodged a €25 million bid for the 19-year-old French attacking sensation, and Reims were on hand to reject the proposal. The Ligue 1 outfit are seeking at least €30 million to sanction a sale for the striker, which casts major doubts on the transfer.
The Hammers are operating on a stringent budget in the window and might not go back with an improved offer. Their latest bid of €25 million was supposedly the best they could table. On the other hand, they were also pondering a move for Leeds United’s Raphinha, who would have cost at least double that.
However, with Leeds expected to reject any proposal from clubs for their Brazilian attacker, it is clear West Ham out to remain keen on Ekitike. They will still try to persuade Reims to accept their terms, but the French club’s asking price might be beyond their budget for the 19-year-old French attacking sensation.
We expect further twists and turns in the race to sign Ekitike, with West Ham capable of going back with an improved offer. It remains to be seen where this saga is headed, as we approach the transfer deadline.