£60m striker wants January exit as West Ham communicate intent to sign him

West Ham United are said to have declared their serious intention to sign a £60 million striker in January, with the player also planning to leave as his club decide whether to green-light a winter exit for the forward.

Julen Lopetegui wants new striker at West Ham in January

TalkSport were among the first national media outlets to report that manager Julen Lopetegui has requested new signings when the transfer window reopens, and it is believed a new No 9 is high on their agenda.

Summer signing Niclas Fullkrug has been sidelined since September with a persistent Achilles tendon injury, with the German unable to get off the mark for his new club nor justify his price tag after a 16-goal season in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund.

There are even reports that West Ham could decide to part ways with Fullkrug, which would surely make him go down as one of the Premier League’s biggest flops in recent memory, even if that tag would be harsh considering that he has no control over his Achilles issue.

That being said, GiveMeSport recently suggested that West Ham hold some regret over Fullkrug’s transfer, and this has motivated technical director Tim Steidten to explore emergency short-term alternatives.

West Ham are targeting Lyon striker Georges Mikautadze amid the Ligue 1 side’s precarious financial situation, which could yet doom them to life in Ligue 2 next season.

The Hammers could take advantage of their woes to strike a cut-price move for the Georgia international, given Lyon could be forced to sell players mid-season as they attempt to balance their books.

Meanwhile, another intriguing target linked in the last week is Brighton starlet Evan Ferguson, who is finding it difficult to break into Fabian Hurzeler’s starting XI on a regular basis this season.