West Ham United are reportedly ready to fork out €36 million for the services of Villarreal forward Arnaut Danjuma.
According to Relevo, West Ham United are currently locked in negotiations with Villarreal regarding a summer move for Arnaut Danjuma. The explosive forward reportedly has a release clause worth €54 million, but the Premier League outfit are willing to fork out a fee of around €36 million.
West Ham’s interest in Danjuma is hardly surprising as the former Bournemouth starlet was one of the rising stars in La Liga and European football this past season. Since joining Villarreal last summer, the Dutch forward racked up 16 goals and four assists in just 34 competitive appearances.
Six of his goals came in the UEFA Champions League, with the forward helping the Yellow Submarine reach the semi-finals of the coveted competition. In addition to his productivity upfront, Danjuma made quite an impression with his dynamism and versatility in the final third.
In light of his success at Villarreal, multiple clubs in England have expressed the desire to bring him back to the Premier League. Liverpool were regarded as one of the top contenders to snap him up in January, but a move did not materialise. The Merseyside giants ended up settling for Luis Diaz, who has been an instant hit at Anfield.
Liverpool are unlikely to revisit their interest in Danjuma this summer, having already roped in Darwin Nunez from SL Benfica. It opens up an avenue for West Ham to launch a move to sign the Dutch forward, with the Londoners already willing to fork out €36 million.
From a sporting perspective, Danjuma could turn out to be an upgrade over Michail Antonio. The Dutchman can operate in the number nine role, accompanying the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma in the final third.
Danjuma is not the only star attacker targeted by West Ham this summer, with the Hammers also tabling an offer for Jesse Lingard. The Englishman is a free agent this summer and he could be tempted to a reunite with David Moyes. The potential addition of Lingard and Danjuma could add a new dimension to West Ham’s attacking play next season.
However, the Londoners have a long way to go before they can reach an agreement with La Liga outfit Villarreal. As mentioned earlier, the Dutch forward has a release clause of around €54 million and with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool also involved in the chase, this transfer saga could drag on for quite some time, leaving West Ham in a spot of bother.
