West Ham’s Declan Rice replacements: Hammers ‘target £43m-rated Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka and Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher’
West Ham are aiming to complete ambitious deals for Bayern Munich‘s Leon Goretzka and Chelsea‘s Conor Gallagher, according to reports in Germany.
The Premier League side are flush with cash after selling star defensive midfielder Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105million.
Manager David Moyes is keen to strengthen his engine room with two central midfielders to help replace England lynchpin Rice.
And according to Sky Sports Germany, the Hammers want Goretzka – who is rated at £43m – and are also in talks over a deal for Gallagher.
They say the Germany international, 28, has been named as a ‘top replacement’ for Rice – but also add that Goretzka has spurned every offer so far because he does not want to leave.
West Ham are targeting an ambitious £43million deal for Leon Goretzka, according to reports
The Hammers are also said to be ‘in talks’ over a move for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher (right)
David Moyes (left) wants two midfielders to replace Declan Rice (right), who completed his £105m move to Arsenal over the weekend
German giants Bayern, who are still reportedly looking for a ‘No 6’ midfielder, expect between £34m and £43m for Goretzka.
Gallagher, 23, is expected to be a cheaper option, with Sky stating his maximum fee is likely to be around £30m.
The Chelsea playmaker scored twice against West Ham at the London Stadium while on loan at Crystal Palace in 2021-22.
After earning a full spot in the Blues’ first-team squad after his successful loan in south London, Gallagher made 45 appearances in all competitions last season.
As reported by Mail Sport‘s Simon Jones, West Ham are also targeting Fulham powerhouse Joao Palhinha but they will have to spend big in order to do so. Hammers manager David Moyes is a confirmed admirer of the Portuguese.
West Ham would love to give their fans a weekly shot of what Palhinha can bring but have found out that Fulham want around £60m. That is a big mark-up for a 28-year-old that cost them £20m but Fulham know they have a big talent on their books.
As a consequence, West Ham, who are losing head of recruitment analysis Jordan Miles to Aberdeen, are running through other names on their lengthy list.
A verbal offer has been made for Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, while talks have taken place over Denis Zakaria of Juventus, Edson Alvarez at Ajax, Leeds United’s Tyler Adams and Scott McTominay is another still in the mix.
West Ham are interested in Fulham favourite Joao Palhinha (above) as a replacement for Rice
The Hammers have been told they will have to pay in the region of £60m to sign the player
