West Ham are discussing a loan deal with Ajax to sign striker Brian Brobbey, TalkSport understands.
The 22-year-old could become the first transfer of the Graham Potter era to solve the Hammers forward problem.
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Brobbey has emerged as the East London outfit’s top target as we approach the latter stage of the winter window.
Positive discussions took place between West Ham and Ajax on Thursday about the ex-RB Leipzig man.
Although Ajax are only willing to sanction the Netherlands Netherlands’ potential relocation of the London Stadium if the loan agreement includes a commitment to the purchase clause in the contract.
Bringing in a striker was a key priority for West Ham in Michail Antonio [broken leg] and Niclas Fullkrug [hamstring] both on the edge.
Potter was forced to play attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta in the 3-2 win over Fulham, before versatile winger Mohamed Kudus led the line in the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last time out.
While West Ham fans may be over the news that they could finally strengthen their attack, Brobbey’s stats this season don’t make for good reading.
In just 17 Eredivisie games he has managed just one goal with a tap-in from two meters against PEC Zwolle on 24 November.
Since then he has gone six league games without finding the back of the net and his form has seen him compete with ex-Arsenal academy star Chuba Akpom for a starting spot.
After 29 games in all competitions this season, Brobbey has only scored three goals, with his other two strikes coming in Europa League qualifying and then in Europe’s second tournament itself.
Although he did show he hit deadly finishers 22 times last term, which earned him a place in Holland’s Euro 2024 squad.
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West Ham have turned to Brobbey after two rejections by Aston Villa for Jhon Duran.
The Villans knocked back a £40m offer before quickly returning the Hammers’ improved offer of £57m earlier in the week.
West Ham are understood to have a long list of potential striker targets who can bring in this month.
Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford is one of those players. The club is asking the Red Devils to be informed of his situation at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz and West Ham’s Evan Ferguson were also linked with a switch.
Potter is all too familiar with Ferguson, having given the Irishman his Premier League debut while in charge of the Seagulls.