WEST HAM are close to signing ex-Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom having failed to land him in the summer, according to reports.
The Hammers ended an eight game winless run with a surprise 1-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday but the East Londoners are still keen to add some firepower up front.
West Ham are close to signing ex-Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom
The Irons splashed out a club record £45million for Sebastien Haller in the summer, and although the Frenchman started life well with four goals from his first seven Prem appearances, he has drawn a blank in his last six.
Albian Ajeti was also brought in from Basel but has made next to no impact on the few occasions he has been involved.
And as a result, West Ham have enquired about Akpom, 24, who has fallen out of favour at PAOK Salonika, according to the Athletic.
Akpom joined the Gunners age 6 and – aside from several loan spells – stayed with the club until his Greek move in 2018.
Despite leading the line for PAOK last season – who remained unbeaten in all domestic matches – he has started just three league games so far this campaign which has given the Hammers hope.
Akpom is reportedly not interested in a new deal and was tempted to move in the summer.
He was waiting to see if his side managed to qualify for the Champions League, but they lost to last season’s semi-finalists Ajax in the qualifier.
French side Reims and German outfit Cologne are also interested but the striker is said to prefer a return to England.
West Ham are also looking to add a holding midfielder and a goalkeeper to their ranks in January – despite the heroics of David Martin during Saturday’s London derby win.
The 33-year-old son of West Ham legend Alvin, made his Hammers and Premier League debut in the win and was in tears at the final whistle as he ran to hug his dad in the press box after the game.
David Martin, son of West Ham legend Alvin Martin, signs for the Hammers
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
