West Ham Transfer News: Hammers vying for £31m ace – his club want to sell

West Ham United have been linked with another winger – and could have the advantage of being his club’s preferred destination if they can stump up the cash.

The Hammers have had an active transfer window thus far, with the east Londoners’ attack being transformed in the last few weeks.

Niclas Fullkrug has made way for the likes of Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe, while Nuno Espirito Santo has been linked with several wingers recently, including Real Betis starlet Pablo Garcia and Venezuela international Keiber Lamadrid.

The rumours don’t seem to be stopping as we enter the final fortnight of the window, with the Hammers’ Premier League status potentially on the line.

According to Spain-based outlet Fichajes, out-of-favour Girona winger Yaser Asprilla has caught the eye of several clubs across Europe as they chase his signature.

The 22-year-old has started just six times in La Liga this term, with Girona said to be happy to let him go.

While a loan deal could be feasible – something that apparently appeals to Espirito Santo’s side – Girona would rather look to sell for around €35m (£31m).

And with West Ham competing with the likes of Ajax, Celtic and Marseille for the Colombian, they appear best positioned to put down that kind of fee.

As a result, Girona are well aware that a switch to the London Stadium has the best chance of pleasing all parties.

Such a deal would hand Girona a tidy profit, while for West Ham, he could yet be the difference between staying up and going down, particularly if their seemingly frantic search for a winger this month is anything to go by.

Asprilla’s versatility could see him forge a starting role in the team ahead of the likes of Crysencio Summerville, while acting as solid backup to Jarrod Bowen on his preferred right side.

He also has prior experience of English football, having joined Girona after two years at Championship side Watford, ending his final campaign at Vicarage Road with 13 goal contributions in 44 second-tier appearances.

Asprilla has been unable to recreate that level of output since, but given the calibre of clubs after his services, perhaps finding the right environment is a more pressing matter than proving his talent.

The details of the report suggest that the ball is in West Ham’s court on this, though they must weigh up whether paying this much for an unproven, out-of-form prospect is truly worth the risk given their current predicament in the top flight.

Graduated in Sport Journalism (BA) with first-class honours from the University of Brighton and has since had bylines in The Times, sports business publication SportsPro, Football FanCast and The Gooner fanzine.

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