West Ham interest in Jermain Defoe is down to Luka Modric – but he may need to force through move from Sunderland
TheWestHamWay insider ExWHUEmployee on the club's search for a striker in the transfer window
THE transfer window has opened and already West Ham are at the centre of many rumours.
With our chairman at the helm, and the club’s decision to have an “Insider” writing on our official site leaking transfer news, it is quite easy to keep up to date with our plans.
It is clear that the main positions that we are looking to strengthen is up front and at right back.
Slaven Bilic is a manager often seeks advice on which players to sign, and it was Luka Modric who spoke up and advised him to move for Jermain Defoe.
The Real Madrid midfielder to Bilic Defoe was one of the best forwards he has ever played with, because of his movement.
This is something that we believe we have been lacking from our current attacking options this season.
We made an enquiry at the start of the window and were told in no uncertain terms that Sunderland do not want to sell him and they would be signing their own relegation if they do.
It is thought it could take up to £15m to persuade them to depart with our former player and this is an extremely steep amount for a 34-year-old.
The hope at the club is that Defoe will try to orchestrate a move himself by asking to
leave, as it is said he does want to return to London to finish his career with us.
He is our number one target.
Another player who we made a move for is Scott Hogan of Brentford.
The club are said to be very impressed with his goalscoring record and they believe he has a number of attributes that could make him a top forward.
Ideally we wanted to monitor his recovery from a serious injury a bit longer and bid in the summer but we may move for him if other clubs do, rather like we had to do when we signed Sam Byram last year.
We would love Michy Bathsuayi to become available for a loan with a view to buy from Chelsea but his club do not want to let him go.
We were very close to signing him in the summer but Chelsea pipped us.
Other potential forward options are: Shane Long at Southampton, Moussa Dembele of Celtic and FC Koln striker Anthony Modeste.
Whoever we end up with I hope they are much more successful than our summer signings.
Recently we have started running matchday events before games as we attempt to bring the soul back to our club.
They have been a great success and are planning more, with some ex-players lined up to attend alongside another club institution The Hammerettes.
