West Ham are in extended talks over a deal for Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez as they look to bring in a new forward to play alongside Marko Arnautovic in east London, according to Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol.
The broadcast journalist and reporter claims on his personal Twitter account that the Hammers are looking at signing a striker regardless of whether the Austrian hitman stays or departs this month, with rumours circulating over his future.
Solhekol states that talks for Gomez are ongoing and that the 22-year-old forward has a £45million release clause in his contract at the Spanish side.
West Ham still in talks to sign Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez. They want to sign a forward even if Marko Arnautovic stays. Gomez has £45m release clause
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) January 25, 2019
Opinion
Gomez seems to have taken the Irons’ fancy this month and it appears as though they are very keen on adding him to their ranks to play with Arnautovic this month. Of course the Austrian’s own place at the London Stadium is not clear cut at the moment and so snapping up a new striker regardless of whether he stays or goes helps protect the squad, or boost it significantly if he does end up remaining. With nine goals in 19 appearances this season for Celtic Vigo the 22-year-old is looking like a prolific talent up front and his age means he has plenty of room to develop and grow into a top class forward. Having the chance to play alongside Arnautovic would ensure he is bedded into the West Ham side before the Austrian does eventually depart east London, which if not this month will almost certainly be in the summer. It is exciting times for the Hammers now. Just weeks after it looked like they would lose their talisman up top, they could have two leading the line for the rest of the season instead.