West Ham are already putting plans in place for next season with reports suggesting that they’re weighing up a move for Gerard Deulofeu.
According to Italian publication Calciomercato, the Spanish forward is attracting a concrete approach from the east London side ahead of the summer transfer window.
David Moyes‘ side gate-crashed the top six last season and the Hammers are firmly on track to achieve the same in the Premier League this term.
With the club also vying for glory in the Europa League, they’re clearly keen to add more quality to their ranks ahead of the next season.
Deulofeu is a familiar face in England having already shown his quality in the top flight.
Having made 75 appearances for Everton over two spells, the 27-year-old also enjoyed a two-and-a-half-year spell with Watford in which he reminded supporters of his undoubted quality.
A tally of 17 goals and 11 assists took the Hornets to the FA Cup final, with Deulofeu grabbing the semi-final with Wolves by the scruff of the neck by scoring a spectacular brace to send them into the showpiece event against Manchester City, a match that they lost 6-0.
With Watford suffering relegation in 2020, Deulofeu was sold to Udinese where the forward has impressed and this term he has scored eight goals in Serie A.
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That form has clearly alerted Moyes to his services, with West Ham almost certain to enter the market for further attacking options.
Andriy Yarmolenko could be set to move on as his contract at the London Stadium comes to an end, while Liverpool’s reported interest in Jarrod Bowen could see Deulofeu eyed as a like-for-like replacement.
Liverpool’s admiration of Bowen was explained by former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino, who likened the former Hull man to Reds’ talisman Mohamed Salah.
Cascarino told the talkSPORT Breakfast: “He had an amazing goal record at Hull City before West Ham bought him. It was something like 50-odd goals in 120 appearances. That’s not bad for someone who is not a natural centre forward.
“He’s direct and he’s a bit like Salah where he always seems to get a chance in a game and will run at people and play in different positions. He has great energy. He will help his full-back out all the time.
“He’s come on leaps and bounds and you have to give David Moyes credit for that. He’s stayed with him.
“Benrahma is more skilful, on the other side he’s got loads of tricks in his armoury.
“Bowen is more predictable but very effective. He will always outscore Benrahma.”
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