West Ham United are set to spend big this summer to accompany their move to the Olympic Stadium and, while they have already secured the signing of ex-Arsenal and Norway defensive player Havard Nordtveit on a free transfer, other arrivals should follow.
Hammers hope to pinch a couple of Cherries
Tuesday’s tabloids and reports online link the Hammers with Bournemouth attacking duo Matt Ritchie and Callum Wilson. It is rumoured a joint £25m bid for the Scotland winger and former England Under-21 forward has been knocked back by the Cherries, who are reluctant to sell their star turns.
Wilson, 24, missed much of Bournemouth’s maiden Premier League campaign due to serious injury, but still managed to score five top-flight goals before sustaining it.
It is understood that West Ham’s interest in Ritchie, 26, has arisen because no deal is in place on making the loan move for Chelsea and Nigeria wideman Victor Moses permanent.
Townsend to be torn away from Toon Army?
As apparent interest in the Cherries pair has been rejected, the Hammers hierarchy may instead switch to alternative targets.
Winger Townsend, 24, may have an £8m relegation release clause in his Magpies contract, having only just arrived at St James’ Park during the winter window.
West Ham watching Wijnaldum too
Dutch forward-thinking midfielder Wijnaldum, 25, meanwhile, was Newcastle’s top scorer in a dismal campaign that ended in them losing top-flight status.
Netting 11 times, including a memorable four-goal haul against fellow relegated side Norwich City, Wijnaldum’s goals were not enough to save the Tyneside team from relegation.
Mining Portugal for talented players has proved a rich vein for Manchester United in the past, and it seems they are prepared to go down that route again, as they have once again had Sporting Lisbon midfield duo William Carvalho and Joao Mario scouted.
Sporting lost out to Lisbon rivals Benfica in the Primeira Liga title race on the final day of the Portuguese season, and both engine room operators are expected to be in national coach Fernando Santos’ Euro 2016 squad.
Joining them on international duty should be Valencia midfielder Andre Gomes, but any interest United hold in him may be dead because of rumours strongly linking the 22-year-old to Italian Serie A champions Juventus.
Gunners tempted by Bhoys breakthrough Tierney
And finally, Premier League runners-up Arsenal are mulling over a £10m offer for Celtic’s teenage left back Kieran Tierney.
Capped by Scotland in the spring, Isle Of Man native Tierney has become one of the Bhoys’ hottest properties and the Parkhead hierarchy must brace themselves for interest like this from south of the border.
Tierney, 18, was voted the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year this season by his peers, and is expected to have a big future if building on a hugely encouraging debut term.
