Sports
West Ham offered Artem Dovbyk as Roma tell him to find new club in January
West Ham are in desperate need of a striker following Niclas Fullkrug’s loan move to AC Milan, and they’ve now been handed a chance to sign one.
The 32-year-old, who scored just three goals in 29 total appearances for the Hammers before his Rossoneri switch, will go down as one of the club’s worst striker signings in recent memory.
Signed by former technical director Tim Steidten, who talked up Fullkrug as the perfect striker for West Ham, his stay at the London Stadium was eventually marred by repeated and long-term injury problems.
The German could never quite display his best in Claret and Blue, having been dealt very unlucky cards when it came to his own fitness, but now the search is on for Fullkrug’s replacement.
West Ham now looking at signing Chelsea striker in ‘odd’ development
There’s been a fresh report this morning.
A host of number nines have been linked with moves to east London in the last week alone, including Coventry City duo Hadji Wright and Ellis Simms, as Nuno Espírito Santo reportedly prioritises strikers with English football experience (ExWHUemployee).
This explains their interest in Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen, who was subject to an approach from West Ham recently, according to the reliable David Ornstein.
Strand Larsen is believed to be open to the West Ham move, but Wolves’ £45 million asking price represents a significant barrier in negotiations.
Chelsea’s Marc Guiu has also emerged as a West Ham target this week, but given he’s already swapped clubs twice this season, the Spaniard cannot join until next summer.
Nuno isn’t completely averse to signing strikers outside of England, though, with Viktoria Plzen’s Rafiu Durosinmi believed to be on the club’s shortlist if they decide to pursue options from abroad (ExWHUemployee).
Another intriguing opportunity could be Roma’s Artem Dovbyk, who ended 2023/2024 as La Liga’s top scorer when Girona briefly contended for the title.
West Ham ‘offered’ Artem Dovbyk as Roma tell him to leave in January
Dovbyk signed for Roma from Girona in the summer of 2024 following an historic season.
The 28-year-old fired the Catalan club to Champions League qualification, with Dovbyk’s physical presence and clinical finishing making him one of Spanish football’s most coveted strikers at the time.
However, things have not worked out as planned since his move to Italy.
Dovbyk has struggled for continuity and his impact has fallen well short of the expectations generated by his explosive performances in Spain.
The lack of confidence from manager Gian Piero Gasperini has marked his brief tenure in Rome, and the club’s sporting director has informed Dovbyk’s representatives to find a new club next month.
As a result, the Ukraine international is now available in January after falling out of favour at the Serie A club.
That is according to reports from Spain, which explain that West Ham have been ‘offered’ the chance to sign Dovbyk this winter.
West Ham, Everton and Sunderland have all received ‘detailed reports’ about the striker ‘in recent days’, with the Premier League trio seriously considering a mid-season deal.
The competition for his signature means West Ham cannot afford to delay if they decide to pursue the deal seriously.
Roma want quick resolution to allow them to reshape their own squad before the window closes, and the Italian club are ready to green-light a loan or ‘low-cost’ transfer given the circumstances.
For Dovbyk, the opportunity to salvage his season with a Premier League move holds obvious appeal. He turns 29 next year, and cannot afford to waste another six months of his career on Roma’s fringes.
“Could happen” – Player admits he may join West Ham as agent works on transfer
He’s made a January admission.
