da brdice： According to recent reports, West Ham United are one of three Premier League sides tracking Espanyol centre-forward Raul de Tomas ahead of the summer transfer window.
da cassino： Reports from Fichajes (via Sport Witness) claim that the Hammers, alongside Leeds United and Leicester City, will make a move for De Tomas this summer, with David Moyes said to be interested in the acquisition of a lesser-known striker who can grow within his team.
Indeed, it is rather unsurprising that there appears to be significant interest in the 26-year-old this summer, as the £9m-rated hitman has 16 goals and two assists to his name so far this season, albeit in La Liga 2.
However, with Espanyol currently topping the Spanish second tier, it remains unclear whether a return to La Liga would be enough to convince the £13,000-per-week forward to remain with Vicente Moreno’s side.
Transfer Tavern Take
While it could be argued that a record of 18 goal involvements over 29 appearances in the Spanish second tier does not exactly scream Premier League-quality forward, De Tomas has previously proven himself a reliable goalscorer at a higher level, with the 26-year-old bagging 14 goals over 33 La Liga appearances for Rayo Vallecano back in 2018/19.
As such, if Moyes truly does wish to bring in a lesser-known striker to the club in the summer market, with De Tomas valued at a modest £9m, the Spaniard has the potential to prove something of a shrewd and cost-effective signing for the Hammers.
In other news: This pundit dropped a claim on GSB’s £82,000-a-week West Ham summer target – find out more here!