Deal completed,West Ham negotiating deal to secure major January signing
West Ham United are reportedly working on a deal to bring RB Leipzig striker André Silva to the London Stadium during the January transfer window, according to Roshane Thomas of The Athletic. The Hammers are said to be negotiating a loan agreement for the 29-year-old forward, which would include an option to make the move permanent.
Manager Graham Potter is under mounting pressure to strengthen his attacking options, as West Ham find themselves in dire need of reinforcements upfront. The situation has been exacerbated by a series of unfortunate injuries and setbacks within the squad. The club has been dealt a massive blow with the loss of veteran striker Michail Antonio, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining severe leg injuries in a tragic car accident.
In addition, Niclas Füllkrug, who was expected to be a key figure in the Hammers’ attack, is sidelined for several weeks due to a hamstring injury. To compound matters, Jarrod Bowen, who has often stepped up in attacking roles, is also unavailable through injury. This leaves Danny Ings as the only recognized striker currently available for selection. However, the former Aston Villa forward has struggled to make an impact since joining the club in January 2023, further highlighting the urgent need for a new attacking option.
Sky Germany journalist Philipp Hinze has corroborated the reports, stating that “constructive negotiations” are underway between West Ham and Leipzig. While Silva has drawn interest from several Bundesliga clubs, no final decision has been made regarding his next move.
Adding to the intrigue, it has been reported that West Ham are also exploring the possibility of signing Brian Brobbey, another RB Leipzig striker. However, Silva appears to be the primary target at this stage.
Silva’s current situation at Leipzig makes him an appealing prospect for West Ham. The Portuguese forward has fallen out of favour at the German club, failing to start a single Bundesliga match this season. His lack of opportunities comes despite a respectable track record in European football. Last season, Silva spent the campaign on loan at Real Sociedad, where he made 26 appearances and scored four goals.
Over the course of his career, Silva has also played for notable clubs such as Porto, AC Milan, Sevilla, and Eintracht Frankfurt. His time at Frankfurt was particularly fruitful, with the striker scoring 45 goals in 71 appearances across all competitions. Internationally, Silva has represented Portugal 53 times, netting 19 goals for his country.
For Silva, a move to West Ham could provide the regular game time he is seeking, while for the Hammers, it represents a chance to bolster their attacking depth during a challenging period. With Leipzig seemingly open to letting the player leave, the deal could be beneficial for all parties involved.
As the clock ticks down on the January transfer window, West Ham will be hoping to finalize the deal swiftly to address their urgent need for a reliable striker. If the move goes through, Silva’s experience and versatility could prove invaluable as Graham Potter looks to navigate the remainder of the season.
