According to The Sunday Mirror (02/05, p72), West Ham United are eyeing up Norwich City star Emiliano Buendia as a potential alternative to Jesse Lingard.
It’s claimed that the Hammers would love to sign Lingard permanently from Manchester United, but alternative targets are being eyed up in case a deal can’t be done.
One of them is Buendia, who has been simply sensational in Norwich City’s promotion campaign having racked up a ridiculous 14 goals and 16 assists.
The Argentinian will be back in the Premier League anyway now the Canaries are up, but West Ham seemingly aren’t being put off.
Buendia is unlikely to be any cheaper than Lingard though, with the Daily Mail reporting that Norwich want around £40million for their prized playmaker.
This seems like a very difficult move for West Ham to pull off, and the Hammers would certainly have to consider Arsenal in this situation.
Eurosport report that Arsenal are planning to make a bid for Buendia this summer, having admired him for some time whilst holding great links to his representatives given that they are also with ex-Gunners goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
What’s interesting is that the London Evening Standard claim that Arsenal also want Lingard themselves if they can’t keep hold of Martin Odegaard this summer.
That means West Ham may face a battle with the Gunners for both Lingard and Buendia, and fending off Mikel Arteta’s men could be difficult.
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