According to John Perry in the Daily Telegraph West Ham are weighing up a second bid of £8 million for Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie.
The broadsheet claims Slaven Bilic is ready to return with an improved offer for the Scotland international after a joint bid for Ritchie and striker Callum Wilson was rejected last month.
The report claims the Hammers are prepared to pay an initial £8 million, rising to a possible £10 million in instalments. It is understood that West Ham contacted Bournemouth on Wednesday in an attempt to reopen negotiations but were warned not to make another bid.
Ritchie is believed to have met with Howe shortly after the end of the season and expressed an interest to hold talks with West Ham, who are also preparing for the Europa League after finishing seventh.
Signed for just £500,000 from Swindon in January 2013, Ritchie played a key role in Bournemouth’s climb up the leagues and scored four goals last season in the top flight.
strange one. Hopefully a smoke screen for tore
Astonishing, isn’t it, that just like last year all the talk around our club is for a top striker but we keep signing midfielders. Is Slav. being very aware of how tough that can be ( especially with us still seen by many as a small club and a curb to a top player’s ambitions, just look at the reaction on Twitter to the news Payet plays for us ) lining up his insurance?
It’s bull****. Why would West Ham sign a winger no better than Jarvis, days after signing the new fella from Valencia, baring in mind we also have Antonio and the French wizard in our squad?