West Ham are considering a summer move for Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to the Evening Standard.
Previous reports have suggested that Celta Vigo forward Maxi Gomez is on the club’s radar, and the newspaper now reports that Gomez is indeed the Hammers’ number one choice.
However, the report also says that Mitrovic – who scored 11 Premier League goals with relegated Fulham last season – is the next-best choice for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
Mitrovic is prolific for his country, with 23 goals in 47 games for Serbia.
Good move for West Ham?
Most definitely. With Mexico international Javier Hernandez not enjoying the most fruitful of campaigns at the London Stadium – scoring only seven Premier League goals in 25 appearances – and Carroll set to leave, the Hammers need another striker to act as backup for Marko Arnautovic, who has asserted himself as the club’s main forward. If trying to sign Gomez does not come off, Mitrovic would be the perfect second choice. Although he only scored 11 league goals in the top flight compared to the 12 in 17 appearances he netted while on loan at Fulham in the 2017/18 campaign, it is clear that the Serbian international has an eye for goal and he would be a brilliant impact substitute.
This is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
Potentially. It looks as if Gomez is their top target, but the Evening Standard report says that the Uruguayan has a £43.5million release clause in his contract, which will be lowered to £22million if Celta Vigo are relegated. But with one game to go, they are three points clear and are all but safe, so it would seem another hefty fee will be needed to secure his services. Mitrovic, on the other hand, would command a much lower figure and may be the better option.
This is Futbol rating 5/10