West Ham ‘agree terms’ with 108-goal striker as Newcastle United plot shock move for Wolves star
The latest Premier League talking points, including transfer headlines from West Ham, Newcastle and Wolves
With less than three weeks to go until the start of the new Premier League season, transfer activity is at an all-time high for the year and the rumour mill has gone into overdrive.
The theme of the transfer window for many clubs seems to be centred around the need for a striker, and West Ham United are no exception to this rule as they try and finally get over the curse of trying to find a clinical No.9.
Last year they splashed the cash on Niclas Fullkrug and while there’s still plenty of hope that the German can put his injury problems behind him next season, it appears inevitable that the Hammers will once again delve into the market to add another striker after Danny Ings and Michail Antonio’s departures.
West Ham ‘agree terms’ with Callum Wilson
Former Newcastle United and Bournemouth frontman Callum Wilson has agreed terms with West Ham over a move to the London Stadium. It’s claimed by talkSPORT that the nine-time England international has agreed to join the club ahead of Leeds United after the Whites also showed interest.
Wilson’s agent, Will Salthouse, has a close relationship with David Sullivan and approached the Hammers owner over a move for the free agent.
Wilson, who is Newcastle’s third highest scorer of the Premier League era, is believed to have signed an incentive based deal which gives him a minimal salary with excellent bonuses for goals and appearances. The offer is believed to be similar to the one that Newcastle offered of a pay-as-you-play style deal to remain at St James' Park.
The 3AM verdict: With 108 goals in the Premier League era, Callum Wilson has proven himself as a very solid and consistent performer when fit and firing.
While he may not have the pace he once had, his movement is still excellent and he’ll definitely offer West Ham a boost in attack if he can stay injury-free. This seems like a sensible risk-free signing which if successful could prove a masterstroke if they can get Wilson anywhere near the levels he showed two seasons ago.
Newcastle United plot shock move for Wolves star
Newcastle United reportedly hold a ‘strong interest’ in signing £23m Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen.The Express & Star understand that the Magpies have expressed an interest in signing the Norwegian striker to boost the club’s striker options amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Alexander Isak.
The Magpies have already had a bid rejected of £25m from Yoanne Wissa of Brentford and are believed to be interested in signing RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko as well. So far the outlet suggests that while Newcastle are interested in Larsen, no formal approach or offer has been made. Wolves are determined to keep the striker and at this stage the player has expressed no desire to leave.
The 3AM verdict: Jorgen Strand Larsen impressed in his debut season with 14 league goals. At 25-years-old, he’s a player in the prime of his career and would make sense for Newcastle to target in future transfer windows as a potential second choice striker.
However, his permanent move to Wolves was only confirmed earlier this summer after an initial loan spell, so it’s very unlikely that a deal will take place in this transfer window.
It seems more likely that Newcastle will continue to track Yoanne Wissa while potentially moving for Benjamin Sesko if Alexander Isak was to depart.