West Ham United insider @ExWHUemployee has recently aired the latest on the Hammers’ interest in Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik.
Following Sebastien Haller’s recent departure to Ajax, the Irons have only Michail Antonio as an out-and-out striker in their first-team squad (per Transfermarkt).
One man who has been linked with a possible switch to the London Stadium to bolster West Ham’s attacking options is the Polish forward, Milik (via The Sun).
The 26-year-old attacker only has until this summer left on his deal with Napoli and he has a market value of £19.8m according to Transfermarkt.
During the latest episode of The West Ham Way Podcast, @ExWHUemployee aired the latest on the club’s supposed interest in signing the striker.
He said: “[Lukasz] Fabianski is a key helper in this, obviously – he plays for the same national team.
“Milik of Napoli, he has played at a top level, got a lot of goals. I think he’s had a few injuries recently, he’s a little bit out of favour at Napoli but [has] still got a really good goals record.
“I think it’s one in three for Napoli which, in Italy, isn’t too bad.
“He is possibly available for a loan, which we could then have an option to buy. He’s maybe a backup option [for West Ham].”
TIF Thoughts on what @ExWHUemployee said about Arkadiusz Milik…
As can be seen in what the in-the-know podcast had to say, he believes that the Hammers could be eyeing a loan move for the 26-year-old attacker.
Should West Ham sign Arkadiusz Milik from Napoli?
No, he's not that good
Yes, he's a solid player
Last season, the Polish striker managed to bag 11 goals in 26 Serie A appearances for his club, earning him a respectable 6.88/10 average rating (per WhoScored).
So, it is clear that he is capable of scoring goals and, therefore, could be a good purchase for the Hammers should they pursue him.
However, the loan deal that @ExWHUemployee suggested would make little sense from Napoli’s point of view as he is out of contract in the summer and could leave for free following a loan.
So, unless Napoli intend to agree a new contract with Milik before sending him out on loan with an option for West Ham to buy him, that seems unlikely.