According to Area Napoli, West Ham United are right in the race to sign Zenit St Petersburg striker Sardar Azmoun this summer.
It’s claimed that Mikel Arteta is in contact with former Arsenal teammate Andrei Arshavin, in order to receive a verdict on the Zenit star.
However, the report also notes that West Ham are pushing for Azmoun. It’s added that the Hammers would have ‘no problem’ paying €25million (£22.5million) to sign him.
That seems to make West Ham favourites, with Leicester City backing away. Still, the threat of Arsenal is strong.
West Ham allegedly want Azmoun to partner Sebastien Haller, and the Iranian would certainly bolster David Moyes’ attack.
Azmoun has hit 14 goals and seven assists this season, and offers an all-round option up top with decent mobility and technical play, whilst also being a huge threat in the air.
Still, it’s hard to imagine that West Ham are ready to pay up such a price right now. The global pandemic will have hit their budget massively, and splashing more than £22million doesn’t seem likely now.
Unless a big sale is made, paying that kind of money seems beyond the Hammers right now. As good as Azmoun is and would be, it just doesn’t seem feasible right now.
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