Slaven Bilic has confirmed that the club are eyeing up yet another target as a loan move is prepared for Chelsea reject Loic Remy, according to Sky Sports. The Hammers are without the likes of Andre Ayew and Andy Carroll and are in desperate need of another addition to strengthen their front line, with a loan move favoured to reduce the cost.
Remy certainly has the pedigree having proven to be a Premier League success at both QPR and Newcastle before heading to Stamford Bridge. The French forward is known to be seeking a move away as Antonio Conte prefers the likes of Diego Costa and Michy Batshuayi so Remy’s first team chances for the Blues would certainly be limited. A loan move may suit both parties, and the Irons will want the deal tied up as quickly as possible to enable Remy to solve their current striker crisis.
That would also allow the club to accept a bid from Aston Villa for forward Enner Valencia, as reported by the Telegraph, which has currently been rejected as Bilic refuses to allow the Ecuadorian to leave whilst his attack is so thin on the ground. Valencia was expected to move on earlier this summer having been made available, but Villa’s bid is said to be the first serious approach for the player.
Having started up front against Bournemouth at the London Stadium debut last weekend, it is clear why the club want to retain Valencia’s services until a new man is added to the squad to replace him. With Diafra Sakho said to be nearing recovery from a back injury, the Senegal forward’s return may allow Valencia to move on from wearing one set of claret and blue to another, but Valencia’s future remains uncertain at present.
There has been progress in a move for Swiss under 21 international Edimilson Fernandes though, with the Sion central midfielder on his way to London to undergo a medical according to reports in the Guardian. For a rumoured £5.5 million, it will add depth to Bilic’s squad in midfield, where he has previously expressed a desire to add another player before the window slams shut in less than a week.
The midfielder played 26 times in the Swiss Super League last season, scoring one goal, and also came up against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the Europa League. At 20-years-old, he has experience at a high level and will provide an interesting mix alongside the style of the likes of Mark Noble, with Fernandes favouring a slightly more atracking minded approach, despite his low goal tally last season. Also capable of playing on the right of midfield when necessary, Fernandes certainly seems a bargain at such a low price and could well develop into a top quality prospect for the Hammers if given the game time to thrive and improve, though more goals will certainly be expected of the youngster after making his move to the London Stadium.
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