West Ham initiate talks with Villarreal over the signing of Nigerian-born Arnaut Danjuma

ENGLISH Premier League side West Ham have stepped up talks with Spanish La Liga side Villarreal over Nigerian-born attacker Arnaut Danjuma in a bid to sign him up ahead of the 2022/23 season.

After joining Villarreal from Bournemouth last summer, Danjuma enjoyed a prolific 2021/22 campaign in front of goal, scoring 16 times and providing four assists in 34 appearances across all competitions. His impressive form in both La Liga and the Champions League altered a number of top European clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool.

According to Relevo journalist Toni Juanmarti, West Ham are the latest club to enter the race for his signature and the Hammers have now opened talks with Villarreal to discuss the attacker’s valuation. Mr Juanmarti added that Villarreal will need to sell Danjuma if they wish to sign primary target Umar Sadiq from Almeria, who value the striker in excess of €25m (£21.5m).

Villarreal could be willing to part ways with Danjuma this summer if they receive an offer of €45m (£38.8m), with Hammers boss David Moyes hoping they can strike a deal. Danjuma was born in Nigeria to a Dutch father and Nigerian mother and was eligible for either national team until recently.

He was first called up for the Dutch national team by Ronald Koeman in October 2018 and made his debut on 13 October in a 3–0 UEFA Nations League home win over Germany. Three days later, he scored his first international goal in a 1–1 friendly with Belgium and then after nearly three years without a cap, Danjuma returned to the squad on October 11 2021 for a World Cup qualifier at home to Gibraltar, coming off the bench to score in a 6–0 win.