Report: Hammers linked with former Arsenal striker

West Ham are weighing up a late move for former Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom according to the Daily Mail

The report claims that the Hammers have been keeping tabs on Akpom following his move to PAOK Salonika who he helped win their first title in 34 years last season.

They are now considering a bid for the 23-year-old before next Thursday’s deadline after watching him star for his Greek side in their pre-season friendly against Fortuna Sittard

Akpom scored four goals in PAOK’S 5-1 win over the Dutch side last Saturday to further impress West Ham’s scouts.

Akpom has kick-started his career since moving to PAOK from boyhood club Arsenal for around £900,000 in a deal that can rise to £2m.

The £5m-rated frontman has become a big fans favourite due to his wholehearted performances for the Greek champions and scored eight times and set up five more goals in 19 league and cup starts last season.

The age of this player and his valuation fit within the budget and desired squad player Claret and Hugh have been told the Hammers are looking for he ticks both of those boxes.

Akpom joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of six, made his debut for the under-18s aged 15 and at 17 was handed his Premier League debut against Sunderland.

It would therefore count as a home grown player.

Then Gunners boss Arsene Wenger labelled him a “good talent” after he scored a hat-trick in a pre-season friendly against a Singapore Select XI in 2015.

However, Akpom struggled to nail down a regular place and spent 2015-16 on loan at Hull City, helping Steve Bruce’s side win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

The following campaign Akpom was involved in another promotion at Brighton, while he spent the latter half of last season in Belgium at Sint-Truiden.

Speaking about his decision to leave the Gunners in the summer, Akpom, who is life-long friends with Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi, said: “I spoke to Unai Emery.

“He just said that there’s a lot of strikers and it would be hard for him to give me game time, which I respected.

“You have to remember I’m an Arsenal fan, I’d spent most of my life at the club, I watch all their matches on television out here.

“Of course it was hard to leave, but I needed first-team football.

“Joining PAOK has given me a new life experience and we’ve got a great chance of doing something special this season.

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