Despite the summer transfer window only just shutting, West Ham United are still plotting their next recruit.
West Ham outlaid £121m on 10 new signings and the newly-appointed Julen Lopetegui is in the process of bedding them in.Behind the scenes, though, club chiefs are already identifying targets for the Janaury transfer window and with that said, a fresh link has just emerged.
According to The Sun, West Ham and Manchester United have been put on red alert after Bayern Munich admitted that Leon Goretzka is unhappy.
The Premier League duo hold a long-term interest in Goretzka, who may well become available for sale in Janaury.
Vincent Kompany has handed the German international, who’s been labelled ‘one of the most talented midfielders’ in Europe (per Bundesliga website), just one minute of football since arriving and evidently doesn’t fancy him.
Bayern’s director of football Max Eberl has recently publicised Goretzka’s frustration at the current situation.
“We communicated very clearly from the start,” Eberl said.
“Leon knew that we were relying on Pavlo [Aleksandar Pavlovic], and that we would bring in with Palhinha and that Josh [Kimmich] would play more in the centre again.
“We’ve also said that when Leon is there and ready to face the situation, he’ll be treated completely normally.”
He continued: “Leon’s a great guy. I like him a lot, even though he’s obviously upset at the moment. I understand that too. But that’s part of life in football.”
Leon Goretzka’s wages could rule West Ham out of race
Goretzka is thought to be on £273,000-a-week at Bayern, so clearly, that will put off a number of suitors.
West Ham’s highest earner is believed to be Lucas Paqueta, who earns £150,000-a-week (Capology), so it’s just not feasible for them to sign Goretzka unless he was to take a massive pay cut.
United, however, could pay his wages.