By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
West Ham appear to be finding it considerably easier to get players out of the door than through it — but it certainly hasn’t been for a lack of offers.
Claret & Hugh can reveal that one of those offers was former England striker Tammy Abraham, who the Hammers had the opportunity to sign earlier in the transfer window.
It’s in the striking department where it seems a lot of opportunities have been rejected, with forwards such as Franculino Djú and Bamba Dieng among them.
We were informed by an agent this morning that the 28-year-old Abraham had been offered to the club earlier in the window.
“West Ham could have had Abraham but they declined.”
West Ham wary of Abraham injury record
It is understood that West Ham’s refusal to accept the proposition was due to Abraham’s poor injury record, and their caution may well have been justified given that the striker is currently sidelined with, yes, you’ve guessed it, an injury.
This isn’t the first time those concerns have surfaced at the London Stadium either. Claret & Hugh were told by a top club source two years ago that West Ham had no interest in Abraham, while his injury record was again highlighted when the striker was linked with the Hammers last year.
Our source would not reveal whether Abraham discussions played any part in Aston Villa’s negotiations for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
In fact, we think that’s unlikely.
It would seem Abraham was offered to West Ham independently by an agent rather than being discussed as part of the Wan-Bissaka deal.
Tammy Abraham is believed to be too injury prone by West Ham
Hammers finally closing in on striker
West Ham expect to rubber-stamp the transfer of Leeds striker Joel Piroe this morning, which should finally bring some much-needed reinforcement to Nuno Espírito Santo’s forward line.
The Hammers have looked at numerous options during a lengthy striker search, while Claret & Hugh has been told repeatedly that players have continued to be offered to the club throughout the window.
Abraham is certainly a high profile name and, when fit, a decent enough goalscorer.
But given West Ham’s recent experiences with injury-prone signings, I can understand why this was one opportunity the club decided to turn down.
Reports yesterday on Sky Sports website said Parrott was going to Betis in a £17.1 million deal with Betis offering Champions League football. Parrott didn’t want to come to the championship so in my opinion not a player we want in the squad. COYI ⚒️ ⚒️ ⚒️
Is this suppose to justify depleting squad to an almost impossibly situation.
46 plus cup games with almost inevitable injuries.
Moyes tried same thing and it doesn’t work players are run off their legs.
This squad is paper thin and Koppen (the expert) needs to do something about it quick.
Or maybe it’s the board that needs to do something about it.
I’d imagine Koppen and Nuno have a host of players they’d like to sign.
Reports today that Parrott going to Betis for around 20m euro. I hope that is wide of the mark on the fee as otherwise I can’t understand why we didn’t agree a deal. Vardy starting to make sense to me, ask him to high press and he will do it, don’t thinkTaty will.