West Ham United are seeking assurances that Breel Embolo is interested in completing a move to the London Stadium and that current employers Monaco are prepared to sanction his departure for a bargain fee before making a final decision on whether to pursue him, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Hammers have confirmed that Danny Ings will head through the exit door when his contract expires next month, with there being a desire to get his £125,000-per-week salary off the wage bill after he has struggled to win over head coach Graham Potter, while Evan Ferguson will return to Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of his loan spell.
Thilo Kehrer completed a £9.5million permanent switch to Monaco 12 months ago, following a productive temporary stint, and West Ham are contemplating whether to attempt to strike a deal which would see Embolo head in the opposite direction as they go in search of securing a fresh centre forward during the summer transfer window.
Potter Set to Discover Terms of Embolo Move
Tactician wants to know price tag and frontman's plans for future
Breel Embolo celebrating after scoring for Monaco
West Ham are considering signing Embolo in a cut-price deal, according to GMS sources, and his price tag along with his desire to head to east London will dictate whether Potter gives the go-ahead to push through a move as preparations are made for his first full campaign in the hot-seat.
The striker is preparing to enter the final 12 months of a contract which allows him to pocket in excess of £55,000-per-week, resulting in the Hammers sniffing a potential opportunity to pounce as it has been acknowledged that Monaco will not want to run the risk of him leaving as a free agent at the end of next season.
GMS sources have been informed that West Ham are long-term admirers of Embolo but, having seen him struggle to rediscover his best form over the course of the campaign, influential figures are on the fence over whether to include him on their final shortlist of summer transfer targets.
Breel Embolo's statistics for Monaco this season
Monaco were prepared to offload the 75-cap Switzerland international for in the region of £17million midway through the season, which was enough to deter Serie A side Como from putting in an offer, and Potter is determined to discover whether the demands have dropped as he nears the end of his deal.
West Ham are eager to find out if Embolo is interested in joining before entertaining the possibility of entering negotiations, GMS sources have learned, but there is hope that he will be open to assessing potential landing spots after his current employers have been unable to convince him to pen fresh terms.
Hammers Want Encouragement from Embolo
East Londoners waiting for clarity from Switzerland international
Breel Embolo celebrating after scoring for Monaco
GMS sources have been told that West Ham are in the market for two forwards heading into the summer transfer window, but at least one of those acquisitions will have to be for a modest fee and they are seeking encouragement that Embolo has a strong desire to test himself in the Premier League before deciding if he fits the bill.
The 28-year-old, who has been described as 'unplayable' by pundit Carl Robinson, would be tasked with providing the likes of Niclas Fullkrug with competition for a regular starting berth if he arrives at the London Stadium instead of remaining at Monaco or taking his career in an alternative direction.
Potter will be relying on departures to boost his chances of being able to reinvest in the squad he inherited from predecessor Julen Lopetegui, GMS sources understand, as West Ham are currently heading into the summer transfer window without being able to boast a significant budget.
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GMS sources recently revealed that the Hammers have not made a final decision on whether to sell Tomas Soucek, but offloading the central midfielder would bring in cash that could be put towards securing reinforcements as preparations are made for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 21/05/2025
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