Folarin Balogun picks Inter Milan ‘dream’ as West Ham United transfer twist emerges

West Ham transfer target Folarin Balogun has decided that his “dream” move would be to Inter Milan, as the Italian side gets set to make a formal bid this week, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The Italian newspaper reported in its print edition [07 August, pg 6] that Inter are ready to make a £25.8million offer for the striker this week as they believe Arsenal will lower their initial £43million valuation.

The report also states that French side Lens has entered the race for his signature, but Balogun is not tempted by their offer, while he is pushing for a move to Inter as the club “makes him dream”.

West Ham had been credited with an interest in the USA international striker as recently as 5 August [Daily Express], as they look to bolster their attacking line ahead of the new Premier League season following the impending exit of Gianluca Scamacca.

Balogun scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 last year, which is why he has attracted interest from Lens who qualified for the Champions League last season, as well as Inter Milan who reached the final of the prestigious competition just last season.

West Ham have targeted moves for other strikers including Chelsea forward Armando Broja, Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke, and £35million-rated Elye Wahi in their attempts to add more firepower to their lineup.

Following the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal earlier this summer, West Ham have been looking to invest the money throughout their squad rather than targeting a direct replacement, to make themselves more competitive and avoid slipping into a relegation battle.

This could be one player to cross off the list, though.

In other West Ham news, the club could move for a new forward after Scamacca leaves.

West Ham United transfer news as £34m Edson Alvarez move now expected

West Ham United have reached a verbal agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Edson Alvarez, with a £34m deal now expected, according to Sky Sports man Florian Plettenberg.

The Sky Sports journalist reported on his personal Twitter account (6 August) that Ajax had sent West Ham a counteroffer of £34m for the 25-year-old after the Hammers had originally offered the Dutch giants £30m instead.

Both sides look keen to agree to the new terms of the deal, with Ajax aware that Alvarez wants to complete his move to the London Stadium and the Irons desperate to finally kick start their summer transfer window and bolster their midfield options.

Reporting on the new conditions of the deal, Plettenberg said: “Ajax has submitted a counterbid to West Ham. First offer was £30m. As reported today: Both clubs want to finalize the transfer of Edson Alvarez as the player wants the deal.

“Agreement of around £33-34m is expected now. Verbal agreement is done. Contract at least until 2028.”

It must be music to the ears of West Ham fans that they finally are closing in on a new signing, after what so far has been a window of constantly seeing offers for players turned down or failing to match the selling clubs valuation.

The Hammers need to meet Ajax in the middle slightly with this deal, having to up their bid from what they originally wanted to pay, but £34m for an international with nearly 70 caps and plenty of Champions League experience is smart business.

David Moyes needed reinforcements through the door at the London Stadium and while this one has come a month later in the transfer window than it probably should have, at least they have signed someone, whether or not it was his preferred target we’ll likely never know.

But it needs to be the first incoming of a couple before the transfer window slams shut at the end of August, with Gianluca Scamacca heading for the exit a new forward must be a priority and the Irons could still do with another midfielder and centre-back as a congested season approaches.

Whether or not they manage to do all that in just over three weeks is yet to be seen, but either way, it’s going to be a busy end to the summer window.

In other West Ham news, Inter Milan have turned their attention to an Irons’ transfer target this summer