By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Unsurprisingly, West Ham’s opening bid for AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott has been rejected.
Sky Sports News are reporting that the Hammers’ offer fell well below the Dutch club’s valuation of the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international, but importantly add that West Ham are likely to return with an improved bid.
Whilst Claret & Hugh has yet to receive confirmation from our own sources regarding the precise figures involved, it is believed West Ham’s opening offer was in the region of £15-17million, with AZ looking for something closer to £24million.
West Ham Can’t Waste Time
The rejection itself isn’t particularly concerning. Opening bids get knocked back all the time and there was always a sizeable gap between West Ham’s first offer and AZ’s valuation.
What matters now is speed… Nils Koppen or whoever is holding the purse strings must get cracking.
With the Championship opener against Burnley taking place this weekend, it’s imperative the Hammers get new players signed, registered and, ideally, through a couple of training sessions before travelling to Turf Moor.
Parrott has moved to the top of West Ham’s striker shortlist after the club rejected opportunities to sign other forwards, so this isn’t the time for prolonged negotiations over relatively small differences in valuation.
| Troy Parrott | Key Stat |
|---|---|
| Eredivisie goals | 16 |
| Shots per 90 | 3.07 |
| Touches in penalty area per 90 | 5.02 |
| Final-third recoveries per 90 | 1.38 |
| Counter-pressing recoveries per 90 | 2.26 |
Vardy Remains The Emergency Option
Earlier reports from Sky suggested West Ham held genuine interest in veteran striker Jamie Vardy, although ExWHUEmployee subsequently indicated the former Leicester City forward is viewed more as a back-up option – essentially the emergency “break glass” solution to Nuno Espírito Santo’s striker problem.
Hopefully that won’t be necessary.
It is understood both Parrott and his representatives are open to a move to West Ham despite the club’s Championship status, where regular first-team football should be all but guaranteed.
The first bid is in and it’s been rejected.
No great drama there.
But West Ham now need to get close to AZ’s valuation quickly because this isn’t a transfer saga they can afford to drag out.
As I said last season, West Ham hierarchy have zero ambition. It has been obvious all summer that they have no intention of spending money. Instead, they think the Championship is going to be a walk over. Sometime round about January they will realize that is not so. Eight weeks of the transfer window have gone now, and they only need to drag their feet for another three. Offering £8M – £10M below asking price on players valued under £25M, is just not going to achieve anything other than letting every selling club know that come January we will be desperate and the price will go up. There is still time, but we have seen it all before and it is not Sullivan this time.
Parrott. Is worth the valuation.
Stop the messing about and sign him ASAP
SSN reckon Alkmaar value Parrott at £17m so if true, our bid of £15m isn’t too far off.
Agreed we need to bid more and pay their valuation I don’t think it’s unrealistic valuation. Let’s be honest we would not accept less than our valuation for Fernandes. We can’t have it both ways . Her this done and don’t mess about on this. I will be furious if we don’t offer more. That will not be acceptable.
Ah the old sullivan low balling trick.. we all know how this ends. With 55k season ticket sales you would think they would push the boat out at least once and please us “customers”. Still they have given us 1 free transfer signing eh!
Not worth commenting on let us know when whu decide not to take the p!ss.