West Ham may be able to sign Celta Vigo forward Maxi Gomez for £22million in the summer if the La Liga club are relegated, according to the Daily Mirror.
The newspaper claim that the Hammers were told they needed to meet the attacker’s £42million release clause in January if they wanted to sign him, but if Celta Vigo are relegated then they clause goes down to £22million.
The Mirror report that the Hammers are set to attempt to sign Gomez in the summer with him seen as the long-term replacement for Andy Carroll and due to the fact Manuel Pellegrini is keen to work with him.
Celta Vigo have fallen further into relegation trouble since January and currently sit third from bottom.
Good move for West Ham?
If the Hammers can get their man for £22million then it will be a very smart piece of business.
Gomez has scored nine goals this season and looks to be a clinical force when in the box.
Also given that the Uruguayan international is still only 22-years-old then the best is still yet to come and he could improve from working with Pellegrini at the London Stadium.
It is also a good move for the Hammers as replacing an injury-prone Carroll with a promising forward like Gomez would clearly be an improvement.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
The Hammers will definitely move for Gomez in the summer as it’s likely they’re keen, but there’s only a small chance his price tag will be reduced.
Celta Vigo may currently sit in the relegation zone but they’re only one point off safety.
If the Spanish side can snap out of their bad run of form sooner rather than later, it’s very likely they can secure their La Liga status which would mean they can go back to demanding £42million for Gomez.
The Hammers didn’t seem willing to pay that much in January and unless they sell a few players first, they may end up avoiding signing Gomez due to his price being rather steep.
This Is Futbol rating: 5/10