West Ham set to break their transfer record for Maxi Gomez

Although many West Ham fans will still be recovering from their 4-2 loss away at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday night, Manuel Pellegrini’s side might have something to cheer about.

The Evening Standard are reporting that the Premier League side are ready to break their transfer record for the third time this season in order to push through a move for Maxi Gomez.

Both West Ham and Celta Vigo have been in negotiations over the past week but it is believed the two parties had been some way off on their valuation.

However, it now appears that Pellegrini is ready to splash £43.5million and trigger the 22-year-old’s release clause with the La Liga outfit.

West Ham are closing in on a deal to sign Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez, according to Sky sources.

Full story: https://t.co/AwoTYiFzLV pic.twitter.com/P5KimnCgwS

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 27, 2019

West Ham ready to break the bank for Gomez

With Pellegrini making it no secret that he is looking to bolster his attacking options, West Ham should be excited by a potential deal to bring Gomez to the London Stadium.

The forward has already grabbed nine La Liga goals and five assists in his 16 starts this season and is keen to secure a move to the Premier League.

With the January transfer window set to slam shut on Thursday, it is believed that West Ham are growing more confident that a deal can be reached before the deadline.

It has also been reported by The Standard that West Ham will likely allow the Uruguayan international to be loaned back to Celta Vigo for the remainder of the season.

Along with being billed as the next Luis Suarez, South American football expert Tim Vickery has given the 22-year-old a very impressive review.

Speaking to Sky Sports last week, Vickery said:

“He is almost like something of a throwback to the great old tradition of the English No 9 when you would whistle down a mine shaft and up would step a strapping centre-forward.

“He is fearsomely strong. Opponents almost bounce off him, he is so physically strong. He is known as ‘The Bull’. You look at him and physically, he is a bull. He is a very, very strong, powerful centre-forward with plenty of technical gifts as well.”

If the Hammers are to land Gomez, then it will be the third time this season that Pellegrini’s side have broken their transfer record.

Back in June, West Ham signed new fan favourite Felipe Anderson for a club record fee of £36million from Lazio.

Given the Brazilian’s stellar start to life in England, fans in E13 will be hoping for Gomez to hit the ground in a similar fashion.

 

Marko Arnautovic signs contract extension

Along with the news that a move for Gomez is inching closer, many around the London Stadium will be overwhelmed to see that talisman Marko Arnautovic has extended his stay in the capital.

After weeks of speculation, the Austrian forward had been desperate to secure a lucrative move to the Chinese Super League with his agent confirming he wanted West Ham to accept a £35million offer.

However, after being left out of both their squads against Bournemouth and AFC Wimbledon, Arnautovic has performed a dramatic U-turn.

Taking to their Twitter on Saturday, the 29-year-old announced his excitement and pledged his future to Pellegrini’s side.

A message from Marko Arnautovic to the fans: pic.twitter.com/QgLFhMuynm

— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 26, 2019

With the Hammers looking to secure a European push, would a partnership between Arnautovic and Gomez be the key moving forward?

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