According to reports, West Ham United ‘remain in talks’ to sign Reims striker Hugo Ekitike, who is said to be rated at around £25m.
The 19-year-old has been in great form for French side Reims this season. He has scored eight goals from his ten appearances in Ligue 1.
Ekitike was linked with a move to Newcastle earlier in the transfer window.
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Sky Sports are reporting that West Ham ‘remain in talks’ with Reims over the signing. The Frenchman is valued at £25m by his parent club.
The report adds that West Ham are looking at Toulouse forward Rhys Healey as a ‘far cheaper alternative’ to Ekitike.
The 27-year-old has scored 30 goals from his 58 appearances for the Ligue 2 side. He has previously had a spell at Cardiff City.
Elsewhere, West Ham and Newcastle have been linked with Jesse Lingard. Dimitar Berbatov is hoping that the Englishman and Donny van de Beek leave Man Utd:
“I’m sad to see Anthony Martial leave United, but in a way I’m happy for him because he needed to go and he needs to play more minutes.
“Hopefully he will get that with Sevilla and he can show his full arsenal of quality in the Spanish league.
“Jesse Lingard also needs to go and find more game time. I was surprised that he didn’t stay at West Ham and they didn’t find a solution because he did so well there and I don’t know why he’s choosing to stay at United if he’s not going to play.
“If United aren’t going to play him then I don’t understand why there are any problems with him leaving the club.
“He’s still under 30, so he has enough time to play and enjoy football but just sitting on the bench at United, it’s obvious he isn’t going to play, I cannot accept that.”
On van de Beek, Berbatov added: “Any move that gives Donny van de Beek the opportunity to play is a good move for him.
“It’s not working out for the Dutchman at United and it doesn’t matter who the manager is. He’s constantly on the bench, and not playing enough minutes to get into shape and form.
“It’s best for him to follow Anthony Martial and leave the club to go and play elsewhere.
“He never established himself as a first choice player, which is a shame because he produced great performances for Ajax. He should go on a permanent move and try to get back into the form that he was in before.”
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