West Ham suddenly emerging as real contenders to sign £40m player, he’s attracted to joining them

West Ham United are emerging as one of the main contenders to sign Arsenal’s 22-year-old striker Folarin Balogun.

That’s according to the Independent who said that the East London club are competing alongside AS Monaco.

The report says that the two sides are currently the only two clubs capable of matching Arsenal’s £40m asking price.

Balogun did have a preference to join one of the Milan clubs in Italy, with Internazionale showing a lot of interest over the window.

But with the club struggling to meet Arsenal’s asking price Balogun is attracted to a Premier League stay.

This may be excellent news for West Ham fans who are finally seeing their side accelerate their efforts in the window.

A deal for Harry Maguire looks to be agreed, and a deals for Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse look close to completion.

And if West Ham can swoop for Arsenal’s Balogun in the midst of these signings then their window really will have swung around.

West Ham look like they may be turning a very disappointing summer transfer window right around.

Three quality additions look to be agreed and the search for a striker now looks to be gathering pace.

There are doubts if Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca will still be at the club this season.

And with Danny Ings’ injury history he certainly can’t carry the burden on his own.

West Ham’s interest in Arsenal’s Balogun looks like a very sensible consideration.

The East London club have craved a bit of consistency up top in recent years and Balogun at least boasts a strong injury record.

Couple Balogun’s availability with all of his talent, he really could be a success in David Moyes’ team.

And whilst the side are seemingly yet to make a bid, Hammers fans may be hoping they really crack on.

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West Ham are interested in Manchester City forward Cole Palmer and the youngster could be included as a makeweight in talks over Lucas Paqueta, reports claim.

Wonderkid Palmer, who scored City’s only goal in their Community Shield defeat by Arsenal at Wembley, will be hopeful of more game time this season after bursting onto the scene under Pep Guardiola and impressing in his sporadic appearances.

However, with City actively working on a deal to lure Paqueta from the London Stadium, Palmer may once again find himself forced to settle for a bit-part role.

As a result, West Ham will look to include the 21-year-old in negotiations with City over talisman Paqueta, either on loan or as part of a permanent move.

That is according to the Evening Standard, who add that David Moyes may play Jarrod Bowen as a striker and deploy Palmer down the right wing instead.