Report: West Ham battling three PL rivals for £15.5m striker, club want quick sale

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West Ham United are battling three Premier League sides for the summer transfer of Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite, per Sport.

The Irons are considering a raid on the Camp Nou to strengthen David Moyes’ attacking options. Michail Antonio ended last season as their joint top-scorer with 10 goals, but also missed 12 games with hamstring injuries.

West Ham, however, face competition from Brighton, Burnley and Norwich for Braithwaite. A Russian club is also pursuing a deal that may come to fruition if the 30-year-old green lights a move to the Premier Liga.

All four Premier League clubs keen have contacted Barcelona to register their interest and to sound out Braithwaite’s situation. And the La Liga outfit want to sell the Danish forward this summer and are pushing for a quick deal.

Barcelona had hoped to sell Braithwaite last year but the pandemic ensured he remained at the Camp Nou. They now want a deal agreed before players start to return for pre-season, although will only accept straight-cash offers.

The Catalan outfit are keen to recoup as much of the €18m (£15.5m) paid to Leganes after he only occupied a bit-part role. Braithwaite is one of the most loved players in the dressing room but started just 15 of 42 outings last term.

West Ham should avoid Barcelona striker Braithwaite

Moyes absolutely has to sign a striker this summer but West Ham should avoid a deal for Barcelona forward Braithwaite. The Denmark international would cost a lot, yet only be good enough for a backup role in east London.

After 1,160 minutes in La Liga last season, Braithwaite only scored twice with goals against Osasuna and Real Valladolid. Those hits also came in November and December, before only adding to his record in the Copa del Rey.

Braithwaite is yet to score at Euro 2020, as well, despite playing all but five minutes of Denmark’s group stage fixtures. Kasper Hjulmand is not even fielding him at striker, either, with all three of his outings coming on the wing.