West Ham United are ‘keen on’ signing Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma during the current transfer window, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.
The 25-year-old has caught the eye of a host of top teams from across the continent, and the Hammers are reportedly hoping to fend off the competition for his signature.
What is the latest news involving Danjuma?
Sky Sports revealed that manager David Moyes wants to bring in ‘at least six new players’ this summer with Danjuma appearing on his wish list.
It’s claimed that the Netherlands international has a release clause of around £40 million in his contract having signed for Villarreal for roughly half that figure from Bournemouth last August.
The Guardian state that West Ham ‘could face stiff competition’ for Danjuma, though, as his exploits for the Yellow Submarine have seen some of the biggest clubs in Europe monitor his progress.
However, Moyes’ charges will surely be hoping the offer of a regular starting berth and the Europa Conference League will be enough to persuade the prolific attacker to sign for the club.
And Danjuma even recently admitted to Sky Sports that he has unfinished business in English football after he previously failed to make an impact in the Premier League for Bournemouth.
What has Crook said about Danjuma?
Crook has disclosed that Danjuma is ‘certainly someone’ who West Ham are eager to snap up ahead of next season as Moyes looks to bolster his attacking options.
Darwin Nunez to Liverpool! Done Deal! Hear more on The Football Terrace...
In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “Danjuma is certainly someone that West Ham are keen on.
“There’s talk of a £40 million fee, which is double what Bournemouth sold him for, and they'll get a nice percentage of that extra £20 million because they've got a sell-on clause. I think they're all hoping that it goes through.”
Would Danjuma be a good signing?
Danjuma enjoyed one of the most productive campaigns of his senior career throughout 2021/22, registering 16 goals and four assists in 34 appearances for Villarreal, drawing comparisons to compatriot Arjen Robben.
His impressive performances fired Unai Emery’s minnows to the semi-finals of the Champions League while also finishing in a respectable seventh place in the La Liga standings.
And Danjuma’s underlying numbers were equally impressive. As per FBref, he ranked in the 93rd percentile for expected goals and touches in the attacking penalty area and the 85th for progressive carries and completed dribbles compared to his positional peers over the last year.
If West Ham are able to wrap up a deal for Danjuma, then it could represent a significant coup for Moyes, improving the east London outfit’s already potent threat in the final third of the pitch.