West Ham must snap up Real Madrid ace if Gomes pursuit fails

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West Ham United remain in the hunt to sign Andre Gomes from Barcelona this summer.

The Hammers lodged a bid of £18 million for the playmaker which was swiftly rejected, and the club have come back with an improved offer of £20 million according to The Evening Standard.

That will surely not be enough, with the Portuguese playmaker having shown a high level during his loan spell with Everton in 2018/19. Indeed, The Mirror claim Barca want closer to £30 million.

It is understood £80,000-a-week Gomes (Total Sportek) would prefer to remain at Goodison Park, suggesting West Ham have their work cut out if they are to steal in for the midfielder.

Perhaps it would be in their best interests to turn their attentions to Real Madrid star Dani Ceballos instead.

TBR’s view

Last month the Hammers reportedly opened £20 million talks with Real over a possible transfer for the Spaniard (The Daily Express).

He is a player who has apparently been deemed surplus to requirements with Zinedine Zidane back at the helm.

Ceballos arguably isn’t quite on the same level as Gomes who is slightly further along in his career, but his potential is exciting and £20 million would be something of a bargain in the current market.

Ceballos is technically impressive and also works hard out of possession.

His energy alongside Declan Rice in the Hammers midfield would certainly give teams something to fear in 2018/19.