West Ham are keen on offloading striker Jordan Hugill in the final days of this summer’s transfer window, according to a club insider.
Ex-WHU Employee, who is an outstanding source of Hammers news, revealed in a Twitter exchange on Wednesday morning that the Hammers want to sell the forward on a permanent deal.
He explained that a “number of Championship clubs” are keen on Hugill and his employers want a permanent sale just seven months after he signed for £10million from Preston North End.
A number of championship clubs are but we are hoping to sell rather than loan but may need to accept a loan if we can’t https://t.co/x5UrJNl6PO
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) August 8, 2018
Good move for West Ham?
It would be decent business for the Hammers if they can get an eight-figure fee for Hugill and free up space on their wage bill that is likely to have reached record proportions following a summer of big spending. The striker is surplus to requirements just months after his arrival, and the imminent capture of Lucas Perez has pushed him even further down the pecking order. A loan deal would likely be a last resort for the Hammers, who would do well do recoup the £10million they forked out for the player in the winter window. He has had little opportunity to shine, but was a panic buy and has showed little in his run-outs at senior or reserve level that he can thrive in the Premier League.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
It is almost certain Hugill will leave, but there are a number of unresolved issues. Will he leave permanently or on loan? And, if he does go, will that be by tomorrow’s cut-off, or the Championship loan window deadline on 31 August? West Ham have played of time to get it done if it proves to be the latter, as the likelihood grows that the 25-year-old will return to the English second tier.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10