West Ham United face losing out on one of their mooted summer transfer targets…
What’s the word?
Back in May, Football League World revealed that the Irons were among several Premier League clubs stepping up interest in Bournemouth star Arnaut Danjuma, but now it appears that they are lagging behind in the race to secure him.
Do you want Danjuma at the London Stadium?
Yes, sign him!
No, who’s that?
According to The Sun, La Liga outfit Villarreal are the front-runners to sign the 24-year-old, despite interest from the English top flight.
It’s thought that Unai Emery’s Yellow Submarines had a £13m bid rejected earlier in the month, with the Cherries remaining firm over their £35m asking price, although they are open to a sale for the right amount.
Time to act
If the Hammers can get back in the battle to land Danjuma’s signature, then David Moyes could well unearth his next Jarrod Bowen.
The Dutchman excelled in the Championship as Bournemouth’s attempts to seal an instant return to the big time fell in the play-offs. As per Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old provided 17 goals and seven assists on their way to that promotion near miss.
He appears to be a player capable of the spectacular and is able to terrify defences with his rapid pace and ability to cut inside.
This was something to which former Cherries boss Jonathan Woodgate alluded during that run-in as he told reporters, via the Bournemouth Echo: “He seems in a good place. He’s confident. He’s working really, really hard for the team now, which I think is important,.”
Woodgate later added: “Sometimes when games are 0-0 and it’s tough and it’s really tight in games, that’s when you rely on people like Arnie, Junior (Stanislas), Dominic Solanke to produce moments of magic. All three can do that.”
Indeed, Danjuma’s 1.8 dribbles per game in 2020/21 was only surpassed by the hardly-seen Arthur Masuaku (2.4) at West Ham, whilst he attempted more shots (2.1) per game than Bowen and Said Benrahma.
Moyes hit the jackpot with his bold gamble on the former Hull ace, with Bowen registering 19 goal contributions in 53 appearances for the Irons, and he could well repeat such exploits with a move for the £13.5m-rated dynamo, although it’s now on the Scotsman to urge GSB to act, with Villarreal leading the charge for the 24-year-old’s signaure.
AND in other news, Moyes must urge West Ham swoop for “full-blooded” 22-goal beast who stunned Euro 2020…