Derby County’s Matej Vydra could be a perfect fit for West Ham United.
Derby County forward Matej Vydra seemingly looks set to leave the club this summer after the Rams failed to earn promotion to the Premier League following their recent play-off semi-final defeat.
The Czech international forward has been a roaring success for Derby this season, topping the Championship scoring charts with 21 goals while grabbing a further four assists.
Derby’s failure to reach the play-off final means the club are likely to sell off one or two players to help bring the wage bill down as well as bring in additional funds, and Vydra is the standout sellable asset.
The Telegraph claims the 26-year-old is expected to depart Pride Park this month, and one top-flight club in need of bolstering their attacking options is Premier League survivors West Ham United.
The Hammers managed to net 48 times in the league last term, but they were overly reliant on Marko Arnautovic while Mexican international Javier Hernandez could leave the club this summer.
West Ham’s January signing Jordan Hugill also struggled to make an impact; therefore it is expected that the East London club will bolster their attacking options this summer and a move for Vydra makes plenty of sense.
The 26-year-old is predominantly a number 10, and he works best playing off a strong striker such as Arnautovic; as proved by his incredible goal-scoring form this season and previously for Watford alongside Troy Deeney.
But Derby are unlikely to allow their prized asset to leave on the cheap, and what is more interesting is that West Ham actually had the chance to sign him five years ago but passed up on the opportunity.
“West Ham are a very good club and Vydra would fit there very well,’ Vydra’s agent Chovanec told the Daily Mail back in 2013.
“They have Andy Carroll and Vydra played very well with a big striker last season, Troy Deeney. I have spoken to West Ham but not for two weeks now, the ball is in their court.”
Vydra’s agent seemingly pressed for a switch to West Ham in 2013, and there could be a possibility he does the same again this summer if it becomes clear Derby are willing to cash in on the forward.
Despite West Ham being manager-less, they need to be looking at new players this summer with the goal of adding more pace to the team in attacking areas and lowering the average age of the squad.
Vydra ticks both boxes, and there is no doubt the Czech ace has the ability to star at Premier League level.
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