West Ham 'prepared' to pay £29.5m for 'incredibly skilful' striker with 12 goals this season

West Ham are said to be willing to pay big money to land a striker this summer. The Hammers have struggled to pick up form under Graham Potter, still languishing in 16th place, safe from relegation but seemingly unable to climb the table.

The Hammers almost took three points against former boss David Moyes and Everton on Saturday, but they fell just short, conceding an equaliser a minute into stoppage time.

It’s clear that Potter will want reinforcements in the summer as he looks to put his own stamp on the his squad, and the striker spot will need filling as a priority. Evan Ferguson has plugged the gap on a loan deal, but it’s unlikely he will be staying, and West Ham will want a more proven option heading into next season, even if Ferguson does stay.

Niclas Fullkrug has struggled with injury throughout his first season in East London, and no team is going to challenge for the Premier League’s European spots without a reliable striker. In that vein, the Hammers are being linked with a move for Lyon frontman Georges Mikautadze, who will reportedly cost £29.5million this summer.

That’s according to Fichajes, who credit West Ham with an interest in the Georgia international who has scored 12 goals in 36 games across all competitions this season, prepared to meet the asking price. Mikautadze scored 13 goals in 20 league games for Metz during a loan spell from Ajax last season, and he joined Lyon within weeks of rejoining Metz on a permanent deal, never making a league appearance as a permanent player there his second time around. He was previously a Metz regular prior to joining Ajax, struggling to make an impression there as a youngster.

Lyon paid £19.4million for his services including add-ons, while Metz have also reserved a 15% sell-on fee. Mikautadze is still only 24 years of age, and he would be a very different option to Fullkrug, standing at 5ft9”. He is incredibly skilful with the ball at his feet and has an eye-catching technique. Mikautadze enjoys dropping deep to pick the ball up and take on defenders, and that could bring a different factor to Potter’s attack.

Your next West Ham read, Shearer issues West Ham verdict as ex-referee 'laughs' at decision