West Ham are showing an interest in Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik, according to reports this week.
The Slovenia international bagged 25 goals in all competitions this season, with the forward’s 23 Championship strikes securing him the league’s Golden Boot.
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His goal record this season has unsurprisingly caught the attention of several clubs in the Premier League, including Brighton, as well as the Hammers, who will be in the market for a goalscorer this summer.
With relegation to the second tier confirmed last weekend, West Ham are expected to undergo something of a mass player exodus in the summer transfer window, as they look to balance the books following record losses announced earlier this year.
That means the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Taty Castellanos, Callum Wilson and Niclas Fullkrug could all leave the London Stadium in the coming weeks and months, while Pablo’s future also remains unclear.
That could leave Nuno Espirito Santo in desperate need of more than one striker acquisition this summer as he attempts to lead the Hammers back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
And according to The Swansea Independent, which claims to have sources close to the player, West Ham are keeping close tabs on Vipotnik’s situation ahead of the transfer window officially opening on June 15.
However, the 24-year-old hinted earlier this month that it has always been his dream to play in the Premier League, despite signing a fresh Swansea contract in March.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he admitted: “I said I had a dream when I was young to play in the best league in the world, the Premier League, and we’re going to see what will happen.
“It’s too early to speak about it.”
The Swansea Independent claims any reported fee around Vipotnik’s possible exit this summer is not accurate, as their sources say The Swans still haven’t placed an official value on his signature.
Vipotnik would outscore Taty in Championship
It’s claimed West Ham want to keep January signing Taty Castellanos at the club next season after the Argentine netted seven times in all competitions during the second half of the campaign.
But earlier reports suggested the striker had no intention of playing in England’s second tier.
Meanwhile, Callum Wilson has already hinted that he’s unlikely to be hanging around either.
If both strikers exit the club, Nuno will have to source a reliable goalscorer at Championship level and Vipotnik has already proven that he can be just that.
After a disappointing debut season after signing from Bordeaux in 2024, in which he only managed seven goals in 42 Championship outings, the striker took the division by storm with 23 goals and three assists in 44 league outings. He also bagged two goals in four Carabao Cup games.
Given his experience and recent success at this level, he would be a no-brainer signing for West Ham if a deal can be done and he would be well placed to outscore Taty on the evidence of their respective seasons.
His dreams of playing in the Premier League could also be a lot closer to being realised if he does sign for the Hammers, especially if interest from existing top-flight clubs doesn’t materialise in the weeks and months ahead.
The Hammers will be expecting to be strong promotion contenders next season, while Swansea’s 11th-placed finish – despite Vipotnik’s goals – suggests they have some way to go before they can be viewed as contenders for a return to the Premier League.
So it’s no surprise West Ham are keen on the striker’s services as they begin to prepare for life in the Championship for the first time in 14 years.