West Ham draw up three-man striker shortlist with Abraham top dog
West Ham have drawn up a three-man striker target list this summer and Tammy Abraham is “top” of that list, claims a report.
The Daily Star report that unsettled Chelsea frontman Abraham is the man David Moyes wants in the summer.
Blackburn striker Adam Armstrong has also been linked with the Hammers and they are understood to have mulled over a January move for the diminutive striker. However, talk of a £25m price tag is believed to have put off Moyes and he has two other men on his radar.
In what preference of order West Ham have is unclear, but Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah and Brentford striker Ivan Toney are also on their wanted list.
Abraham, 23, appears to be their main target though, per the report.
Despite being Chelsea’s top scorer with 12 goals this season he was left out of the squad for Sunday’s draw with Manchester United.
Thomas Tuchel admitted Abraham was “struggling with my decision” but said his only option was to win back his place.
“This is what you sign up for if you are a player for Chelsea, a coach for Chelsea, that these moments arrive,” said the German coach.
“There is no other answer other than to accept it and be there on Monday to fight for your place. I am sure he will do it.”
Abraham’s Chelsea contract runs until 2023. That’s after he activated an extra year in his existing deal at the back-end of last season.
However, the Blues are yet to open talks over an extension and Abraham is said to be reluctant to extend his deal. He is believed to be cautious over Chelsea’s reported interest in Erling Haaland.
If Haaland does arrive then that would spell the end for him at Stamford Bridge. And with two years left come this summer, Chelsea could look to sell to maximise their profit.
Hot-shot Toney
Moyes decided against bringing in a striker in January after failing with a bid for Sevilla star Youssef En-Nesyri. But with just Michail Antonio as his only recognised striker he will look to strengthen that position in the summer.
Nketiah is another striker who could be allowed to move on at Arsenal this summer. The 21-year-old is also out of contract in June 2022 and there has been no sign of an extension.
Championship hot-shot Toney is a different proposition. The 24-year-old has been progressing through the Football League and Brentford would be loathed to lose him.
The former Peterborough man has blasted 25 goals in 32 Championship games this season and is under contract until 2025. After selling Ollie Watkins to Aston Villa last summer for £28m, the Bees would want a similar fee for Toney.
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