West Ham United are among a number of clubs set to battle for the signature of Lille striker Jonathan David this summer.
The Hammers’ interest in the Canadia striker is well documented, but they’re facing an uphill task in their bid to snap him up.
Multiple reports claim the East Londoners have already tabled an offer for David, but the striker is in no rush to make a decision over his long-term future.
West Ham bolstered their attacking options in January when they snapped up Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
He was Graham Potter’s primary target, but having struggled to hit the ground running, West Ham are already looking ahead to next summer.
The Hammers are firmly at the centre of the race to recruit David, but they’re being crowded out by more high-profile clubs, with most of them able to offer Champions League football.
David’s landing spot could be one of the biggest talking points of the summer transfer window, as he isn’t short of suitors both in the Premier League and abroad.
With West Ham’s bid all but certain to hit the buffers, here are three strikers the Hammers could target in the summer.
Hugo Ekitike – Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike is another name heavily linked with a move to the Premier League this summer.
The 22-year-old has reinvented himself since leaving Paris Saint-Germain to join Frankfurt in January last year.
He moved to Germany on an initial loan deal before completing a permanent move worth €16.5 million (£13.8m) later that summer.
Ekitike has since proven to be a value-for-money signing for Frankfurt, returning 19 goals and eight assists in 38 games in all competitions this season.
He has scored 13 times in 25 Bundesliga games, spearheading Frankfurt’s push for Champions League qualification.
The Germans will unsurprisingly be extremely reluctant to let him go after one full season but may be tempted to do business if they receive a lucrative offer.
Yuri Alberto – Corinthians
The last time West Ham went shopping for an attacker in Brazil, they made the wrong decision, and former technical director Tim Steidten paid for that mistake with his job.
This time around, the numbers suggest they might get it right, with the Hammers pushing to sign Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto.
The player’s agent, Andre Curry, has already confirmed they have received an offer from West Ham, but the race for the Brazilian striker is fierce, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Real Betis also in the mix.
Alberto has been in prolific form for Corinthians. He notched 31 goals and seven assists in 57 appearances last term.
He has registered seven goals in 17 outings this term and could add some much-needed firepower to West Ham’s frontline.
Liam Delap – Ipswich Town
West Ham could complete the coup of the summer if they can get their hands on highly sought-after Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
The Manchester City academy graduate has been the talk of the league all season, spearheading Ipswich’s survival bid.
The talented striker has scored 10 goals in 28 Premier League games for the relegation-threatened side and is on the radar of some of the biggest clubs in the country.
Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal have all been tipped to make a move for Delap, and there have also been murmurs about a potential return to the Etihad Stadium.
On paper, West Ham don’t stand a chance in the race to recruit Delap.
However, their competitors are keeping an eye on more high-profile targets, which could pave the way for the Hammers to lure the England youth international to East London.