Jump directly to the content
Gossip
BIG MONEY MOU-VE

West Ham in talks over £22m signing of Porto striker Moussa Marega

Cheikhou Kouyate could be included in deal for Malian striker, who hit 23 goals last season for Portuguese champions

WEST HAM are in talks to sign £22million-rated Porto striker Moussa Marega, according to reports.

The deal, which could fall in price if Hammers midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate heads the other way, would take the club's summer spending past £100m.

 Marega has one goal in 13 caps for Mali
5
Marega has one goal in 13 caps for MaliCredit: EPA

Malian forward Marega, 27, struck 23 times as Porto won the Primeira Liga title last season, their first championship in five years.

The report talks have taken place between the two teams' representatives over a £22m switch.

But Porto could cut their asking price if Kouyate is included in any deal.

West Ham's transfer expenditure this summer currently sits at £94m, with new boss Manuel Pellegrini having already brought seven new faces with him to the London Stadium.

Jack Wilshere and Felipe Anderson give their reasons for joining West Ham
 Marega was born in the Parisian suburb of Les Ulis, where Thierry Henry, Anthony Martial and Patrice Evra also grew up
5
Marega was born in the Parisian suburb of Les Ulis, where Thierry Henry, Anthony Martial and Patrice Evra also grew upCredit: Getty - Contributor

A club-record £41m deal for Lazio's Felipe Anderson added to the £22m spent on Issa Diop and £17.5m paid to Borussia Dortmund for Andriy Yarmolenko.

Lukasz Fabianski joined for £7m from Swansea City while West Ham also paid £3.5m for Fabian Balbuena.

Free agent signings Jack Wilshere and Ryan Fredericks, moving across London from Arsenal and Fulham respectively, were the only arrivals not to dent the club's transfer budget.

The Hammers' spree ranks second in the Premier League this summer, with only Liverpool's £175m outlay surpassing them.

 Marega started the 2017/18 season on fire, netting 14 goals in his first 14 starts
5
Marega started the 2017/18 season on fire, netting 14 goals in his first 14 startsCredit: AFP or licensors
 Manchester United and Chelsea have previously shown interest in the Porto striker
5
Manchester United and Chelsea have previously shown interest in the Porto strikerCredit: EPA
Introducing Inna Yarmolenko - the stunning wife of West Ham’s new signing Andriy Yarmolenko

Pellegrini has shown no signs of ending his transformation of the squad, saying: "We are trying to build a strong squad.

"We all know that the Premier League is not easy so we don't just need to have a good team, we need to have a good squad.

"For the moment we have seven new players and we also have three important players injured that we don't know when they can return - (Manuel) Lanzini, (Andy) Carroll and (Declan) Rice.

"Until the last day that we have time to bring players (in), we will try to build a strong squad."

 Kouyate has been one of West Ham's most dependable players since joining from Anderlecht in 2014, but now looks set to leave the club
5
Kouyate has been one of West Ham's most dependable players since joining from Anderlecht in 2014, but now looks set to leave the clubCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Senegal captain Kouyate, 28, has been linked with a move away all summer, with Crystal Palace and Wolves reportedly interested.

The defensive midfielder has been a mainstay in the Hammers side since joining from Anderlecht in 2014, racking up 147 appearances in four years and scoring 15 times.

He played in all three of Senegal's World Cup games as they were cruelly knocked out at the first hurdle.

The Lions of Teranga sat equal with Group H rivals Japan on four points but exited the tournament under the fair play rules, by virtue of picking up more yellow cards.

This week our Maverick Monday is former Liverpool, West Ham and Spurs hardman Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock
Topics