West Ham make approach to sign “exciting” £17m striker compared to Giroud

West Ham United have now made an approach to sign an “exciting” striker, who has been likened to former Arsenal man Olivier Giroud, according to a report.

Hammers closing in on deal to sign Wilson

With Michail Antonio set to leave this summer, despite undergoing rehabilitation at West Ham, Graham Potter will need to bring in a new striker, and Callum Wilson is now closing in on a move to the London Stadium, having agreed personal terms.

Wilson is available on a free transfer, upon the expiration of the Englishman’s Newcastle United contract, meaning he would be a low-risk addition to the squad, but there are likely to be some justified concerns over the striker’s injury record.

The 33-year-old has suffered persistent injury problems at Newcastle, meaning he was unable to score a single Premier League goal last season, so there are doubts over whether the veteran forward would be a good acquisition for the Irons.

There may also be concerns about Wilson’s age, considering the Hammers are well-known to have had the oldest squad in the Premier League last term, and the ex-Newcastle striker is arguably in the twilight years of his career.

As a result, it would make sense to pursue a younger striker alongside Wilson, and a new report has revealed that West Ham have now made their first move to sign a new centre-forward.

Indeed, according to a report from Football Insider, the Hammers have now made an approach to sign FC Metz striker Idrissa Gueye, but there is likely to be stiff competition for the 18-year-old’s signature.

Within England, the likes of Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion have enquired over a deal for Gueye, while there is also plenty of interest from abroad, with giants Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund joining the race.

Amid the widespread interest in the teenager’s signature, Metz are hoping to receive a fee of around £17m, meaning he would be a relatively low-cost addition to Potter’s squad.

Gueye could be “exciting” signing for West Ham

Scout Ben Mattinson clearly believes the starlet could go on to achieve big things, having lauded him as “exciting”, and the Metz ace has already started to catch the eye in Ligue 2.

Metz achieved promotion to Ligue 1 last term, and the one-time Senegal international made a real impact, amassing five goals and one assist in 17 appearances during the regular season.

Metz director has also spoken fondly of the Senegalese gem, likening him to former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, who remains the all-time leading goalscorer for the France national side.

West Ham could certainly do with bringing in a young striker this summer, given that Niclas Füllkrug is now 32-years-old and Antonio is set to exit the London Stadium, and Gueye could be an exciting long-term addition to Potter’s squad.