West Ham now ready to meet asking price for attacker who “impressed” Mane
West Ham are reportedly ready to meet one club’s asking price to sign their attacker who left ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane “really impressed”.
Despite Jarrod Bowen’s successful adaptation to a more central attacking role this season, where he has thrived under David Moyes, it is believed West Ham could sign a new striker in January.
Mohammed Kudus will be unavailable for large parts of this month, as he travels to represent Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Moyes doesn’t appear to favour Danny Ings as an option. Michail Antonio has also been unavailable through injury, which leaves the Hammers pretty short of striker options both in a makeshift sense and in terms of natural choices.
As a result, the likes of Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke and PSG striker Hugo Ekitike are reported West Ham targets this month, as Moyes chases yet another European qualification place come the end of 2023/2024.
One name who some supporters will be familiar with is Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia, who was actually linked with a move to east London in the summer of 2021.
Sky Sports claimed back then that West Ham were targeting Dia as a replacement for Sebastien Haller, and it appears their fondness of the Senegal international hasn’t waned in the slightest.
According to Italian news outlet Il Mattino, West Ham are ready to meet Salernitana’s asking price for Dia alongside German side Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Serie A club want to sell Dia in January, and have set a valuation of around £14 million – a price which West Ham are willing to match. Napoli are also interested in signing the 27-year-old, so it appears there could be quite a race developing for his signature.
The African scored 16 goals in 33 league appearances on loan at Salernitana last term on loan, before making his move there permanent in the summer from Villarreal. Some media sources have even suggested that Arsenal are eyeing up a move for Dia to strengthen their own forward line, which is a clear indication of just how highly rated he could be in England.
Dia also has six goals in 25 caps for his native Senegal, and was a member of their most recent AFCON winning team. International teammate and ex-Liverpool ace Mane, speaking to Foot Sur7 (via Ligue 1) in 2020, tipped the forward for stardom after being left “very impressed” by Dia’s qualities as a player.
If West Ham United’s 0-0 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion proved anything, it is that they could do with some added firepower in the January transfer window. With Michail Antonio enduring injury problems and Danny Ings never really finding his form in a West Ham shirt, the responsibility has often been left down to Jarrod Bowen. And whilst the former Hull City man often delivers for the Hammers, David Moyes could do with a natural focal point to lead the line.
That said, reports suggest that those at the London Stadium have joined the race to sign a player who is actively competing for the Premier League’s Golden Boot alongside Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland this season.
West Ham did well in the summer to spend the money gained from the sale of Declan Rice wisely. They swiftly replaced the England international with James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez, before turning their attention to Mohammed Kudus and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
One position they did not strengthen, however, was the striker role, which should make it their priority this month. As Moyes’ side compete for a place in the top six, an out-and-out goalscorer could make all the difference
According to Seb Ecrivain Foot, West Ham have joined the race to sign Dominic Solanke and are discussing the feasibility of a potential deal. Solanke will reportedly be allowed to leave Bournemouth this month if a “financially serious offer” arrives, with Tottenham Hotspur and the Hammers chasing his signature.
Given that the Lilywhites are already reportedly in discussions over a fee, West Ham may need to act quickly if they are to beat their London rivals in the transfer market. If those at the London Stadium beat Spurs to a deal to sign Solanke, it would certainly be some statement of intent.
