West Ham are looking to sign a new striker this summer and they have earmarked Newcastle star Callum Wilson as a potential option.
According to a report from The Mirror (print edition, page 54), the Hammers are keen to sign the 32-year-old striker who could leave Newcastle this summer.
Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli are also looking to sign the England international who has scored 140 goals in his club career, including 48 goals for the Magpies.
Newcastle would demand a fee of more than £10 million for the experienced striker as they seek to comply with the Premier League’s financial rules.
West Ham have already signed Brazilian forward Luis Guilherme, but he is mainly seen as a player for the future. The Hammers need more depth and quality in their forward areas and have been linked with a move for Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin as well.
Should West Ham move for Callum Wilson?
At the moment, West Ham have two aged forwards in the form of Michail Antonio and Danny Ings.
Antonio has been a great servant for the Hammers but it doesn’t send a good message if the club still rely heavily on a 34-year-old striker to deliver. Moreover, there is a high chance that he could move to the MLS as he approaches the fag end of his career.
Ings joined the Hammers with the reputation of being a lethal goalscorer, but the move did not work out well for him. He could be sold in the summer.
If both the veteran strikers leave, there will be space for a new addition, and in that case, a move for Wilson makes sense, although the Hammers should ask Newcastle to lower the asking price.
The focus should be on signing a relatively young and experienced striker who can spearhead the attack ahead of next season.
However, if Yankuba Minteh leaves St James’ Park, Newcastle may not feel the need to offload Wilson at all.
