West Ham reportedly want 23-year-old forward Rio Ferdinand urged London rivals to avoid in 2020

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West Ham are reportedly interested in Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic, who’s someone that Rio Ferdinand previously told Arsenal to avoid signing.

According to Eurosport, the Hammers are considering the 23-year-old Serbian forward this summer.

He’s a long-term target, so they could reignite interest by trying to bring him to the London Stadium.

In addition, he’s not in the plans of Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti in the new season. But, there is already interest from clubs in Germany.

Jovic has scored just two goals in 32 games for the Spanish giants Madrid since joining a couple of years ago. That’s why he ended up out on loan during the second half of last season.

It’s interesting to dig up that pundit and ex-Hammers defender Ferdinand urged London giants Arsenal to avoid signing Jovic.

The Daily Star claimed in March 2020 that Arsenal were readying a transfer swoop for Jovic, something which Ferdinand commented on at the time:

“Done nothing in a Real Madrid shirt. The potential he showed at Frankfurt, he was highly thought of. It doesn’t always go to plan. He can add to Arsenal – but I don’t believe Arsenal need a striker. They need centre-halves,” Ferdinand said on Instagram in March 2020, as relayed by The Boot Room.

Is Luka Jovic a risk worth taking for West Ham?

For West Ham boss David Moyes, he’s currently facing the daunting task of entering a season with a fairly small squad. The fact they have both European and domestic fixtures means it could be a real struggle.

With a few weeks still left in the window, they need a few extra bodies to fill out the group.

Some competition for Michail Antonio at striker is imperative, so Madrid’s unwanted forward Jovic could be a decent option. However, it’s unclear on how much he would cost. 

His record of 40 goals in 93 games for Eintracht Frankfurt shows he can finish and perhaps the magnitude of a move to the Bernabeu proved too much at his young age.

If his price is reasonable, he could be a decent understudy that still has so much time on his side to improve. 

In other news, ‘Jealous’, ‘Fuming’: Some West Ham fans react as Hammers-linked forward completes £15m move elsewhere