West Ham deal for Steven Bergwijn now ‘one to watch’ in January West Ham United are preparing to raid Ajax after earmarking Steven Bergwijn as a winter transfer window target
West Ham United are mulling over whether to launch a bid for Ajax captain Steven Bergwijn after also signing Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus from the Eredivisie giants during the summer.
The Netherlands international is keen to return to the Premier League after previously being on Tottenham Hotspur’s books.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano understands that Bergwijn is a leading West Ham target for the remainder of the winter window.
West Ham United target Steven Bergwijn is ‘one of the main names’ on Hammers boss David Moyes’ January shortlist, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has exclusively told SPORT who the London Stadium outfit could sell in order to land the Ajax star.
The Eredivisie champions are under threat of being raided by the capital club for the third time in a matter of months, having already allowed Edson Alvarez to make a £35.4million switch in August and sanctioned Mohammed Kudus’ £38million move a matter of weeks later.
Moyes, who has led West Ham into the Premier League’s top six and the Europa League knockout stage despite being forced to contend with the loss of Declan Rice in a £105million transfer to Arsenal during the summer, has set his sights on drafting in reinforcements ahead of the winter window’s February 1 deadline.
Hammers mulling over deal for Bergwijn
West Ham are weighing up whether to head to the negotiating table for Bergwijn, according to The Sun, after holding preliminary talks with the Ajax captain’s representatives ahead of potentially offering a route back into the Premier League.
The report suggests the Netherlands international, who has found the back of the net eight times and registered a further three assists in 20 outings this season, is desperate to have another chance to make his mark in the English top flight after struggling to rediscover his best form while on Tottenham Hotspur’s books.
Bergwijn returned to his homeland when Ajax agreed a £26.4million deal with Spurs 18 months ago, having found himself on the substitutes bench regularly in north London, but he is firmly in West Ham’s sights as they look to build on ending their trophy drought by winning the Europa Conference League last term.
It is understood that the Dutch giants are keen to ward off interest from the Hammers and would only entertain sanctioning their talisman’s departure from the Johan Cruyff Arena if a bid in the region of £15million is tabled in the coming weeks.
Although Ajax are in a strong negotiating position thanks to Bergwijn’s contract – which allows him to pocket more than £76,000-per-week – still having three-and-a-half years to run, the clubs will have built a fruitful relationship following the deals for Alvarez and Kudus.
West Ham are exploring a deal for Bergwijn after Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen were forced off with injuries during their 1-1 draw with Bristol City in the FA Cup third round last weekend, leaving Moyes with limited options in the attacking areas.
The east Londoners are also unable to call upon Kudus for their upcoming fixtures after he has linked up with Ghana for the Africa Cup of Nations, while Michail Antonio has suffered an injury setback which will see him remain on the sidelines for the rest of the month, increasing the importance of acquiring fresh faces.
Fabrizio Romano – Bergwijn among names at top of Moyes’ shopping list
Romano understands that Bergwijn has been pinpointed as a key target by West Ham, with him being admired behind the scenes, but they will need to sanction departures in order to have the funds to meet Ajax’s demands this month.
The Italian journalist believes the out-of-favour Said Benrahma is among those that will need to embark on a fresh challenge ahead of the transfer window slamming shut if the Hammers want to swoop in for the 26-year-old winger.
When asked about West Ham’s links to Bergwijn, Romano told GIVEMESPORT:
“He is one of the main names they have on their list. They really like him. But it’s really important to boost the budget.
“They need to sell some players like Said Benrahma and many others to make this deal happen. It’s not an easy one, but the option is there.
