OPINION
West Ham are just one of six British sides reportedly interested in Lorient forward Abdul Waris Majeed with less than a fortnight remaining in the transfer window.
The Daily Mail claim the 25-year-old is said to have caught the Hammers’ attention this summer as Slaven Bilic looks to add another attacker to his squad, despite signing Javier Hernandez from Bayer Leverkusen.
It is said that the speedy attacker is also interesting West Brom, Burnley, Brighton, Fulham and Celtic, with the Hammers making an official enquiry over the forward in the past week.
West Brom and Burnley are also believed to have asked Lorient over the availability of the forward, who would cost a fee of £12million if he was to leave in the next fortnight.
Ghana international Majeed boasts bags of pace, an eye for goal and the versatility to be able to play both on the flanks or as a centre-forward himself.
This Is Futbol considers whether signing the Ligue 1 goal machine would benefit Bilic’s side, and whether a move is achievable for the east London outfit.
Good move for West Ham?
The Hammers have decided to sell Algeria international Sofiane Feghouli and are reportedly willing to let Robert Snodgrass leave the club, too.
Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho both missed the majority of the 2016-17 campaign through injury, and Majeed would be able to offer cover in both positions, out wide and up front.
At just £12million, Majeed would provide the Hammers with top-tier quality and unwavering eye for goal that has seen him score 21 goals in 58 games for the French outfit.
All signs suggest that a move for the versatile attacker would benefit the Hammers, as they look to finish in the top eight of the Premier League come May 2018.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10.
Likely to happen?
In terms of stature and location, Majeed is likely to choose West Ham out of the three clubs that have enquired over his availability.
However, after the club have lured Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic to the London Stadium, it is unlikely that Majeed would be given a regular first-team slot in the side.
Celtic also have the lure of Champions League football north of the border and such a move would definitely Majeed, who once had trials with Premier League giants Manchester City.
The Hammers would have plenty of convincing to do, but if they can guarantee Majeed that he will be one of the more senior members of the squad, then the Hammers should have no trouble in completing a deal.
This Is Futbol 4/10.