West Ham United are said to be hopeful of signing Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this summer, as they seek a replacement for the recently departed Sebastian Haller.
The Hammers have been the Premier League’s surprise package this season and currently find themselves fourth in the table, despite having spent much of the season without a recognised centre-forward.
Since the return of David Moyes to the dugout in December 2019, the Scotsman has favoured deploying the versatile Michail Antonio through the middle, the former Nottingham Forest man keeping big-money signing Haller out of the side.
The former Frankfurt striker had joined the club on a £45m deal in July 2019, yet was allowed to leave for just half that fee in January to move to Dutch giants Ajax, after struggling to hold down a regular starting berth at the London Stadium.
Although Antonio has hit a respectable seven league goals so far this season, the club are in the market for a more long-term fit upfront, the Daily Star reporting that they have made Tammy Abraham their top target.
The 23-year-old is Chelsea’s leading scorer with 12 goals in all competitions this season, yet was a glaring absentee from the matchday squad against Manchester United at the weekend and faces an uncertain future under new boss Thomas Tuchel.
With Borussia Dortmund hotshot Erling Haaland heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, Abraham could well become surplus to requirements, particularly with Olivier Giroud and Timo Werner already at the club.
The continued rumours regarding the club’s interest in the Norwegian have reportedly stalled any talks over a potential contract extension for Abraham, with his current deal set to expire in 2023.
Although the England international is understood to be West Ham’s main target, the club are also considering alternatives in Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah and Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
The former is England’s record goalscorer at u21 level, yet has struggled for game time this season at the Emirates, while the latter has been in sensational form in the Championship, netting 25 league goals already this term.
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