West Ham United ponder €20 million offer for Gerard Deulofeu

West Ham United are reportedly considering a move for Udinese forward Gerard Deulofeu, who could cost around €20 million.

According to Calciomercato, Gerard Deulofeu could be on his way out of Udinese in the summer. The forward has played brilliant football in Serie A this season, which could see him leave the club after the end of the season. Udinese want around €20 million for the services of Deulofeu, with West Ham United among the clubs interested in his services.

A product of the famed La Masia youth academy in Barcelona, Deulofeu moved to Udinese in the summer of 2020. He initially joined the club on a loan deal from Watford, and despite barely managing to make an impact during the first half of the campaign, the Serie A outfit bought him permanently for a fee of €17 million at the start of 2021.

One year later, the gamble seems to have paid off as Deulofeu has managed to live up to his expectations in the new season. With eight goals and two assists in 23 league appearances, he has been a vital cog in Udinese’s attacking setup, helping the club retain its mid-table status in the league standings.

Deulofeu’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with various clubs looking to stake their claim on the talented forward next summer. West Ham are no stranger as they prepare for a busy summer ahead.

Jarrod Bowen is among the players facing an uncertain future at London Stadium, amid interest from Liverpool. While the Hammers have slapped a hefty price-tag on the former Hull City starlet, his potential exit could leave a massive void in the club’s offensive unit.

It could accentuate the need for someone like Deulofeu, who has significant experience in the Premier League. During his time at Everton, the winger had notably made 75 competitive appearances, scoring eight goals while mustering 19 assists. He has been involved in a total of 44 goals in 127 Premier League appearances.

Deulofeu’s exposure to English football could be invaluable for West Ham. But in addition to his experience, the Spaniard can offer some much-needed versatility in the attack, as he can operate in a central role if required. It could make him a potential alternative to Michail Antonio, with David Moyes particularly keen on strengthening the overall depth of his attacking unit.

However, it remains to be seen if West Ham plan to meet Deulofeu’s €20 million price tag instead of prioritising a move for other targets such as Darwin Nunez.