West Ham face competition to sign €18m man, Bilic can be forgiven for wanting addition

 

Napoli are the latest club to join the race to sign Sassuolo forward Grégoire Defrel, according to claims in the Italian media. The Frenchman has been in impressive form for the Serie A side this season, and has also been linked with a move to West Ham United in recent weeks.

TMW have reported today Napoli are in the hunt for a striker when the transfer window opens in the New Year after their struggles up front in this campaign. Their star striker Gonzalo Higuaín signed for Juventus in the summer, and with the bad injury Arkadiusz Milik sustained, Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri only has Manolo Gabbiadini at his disposal.

However, the Italy international is currently out of favour with Sarri, and the need to bring a forward in January has become a priority, with Defrel the latest option. It’s been revealed Sarri is impressed with Defrel’s versatility, and Napoli have already contacted Sassuolo with regards to the player.

Defrel has also been linked with a move to the Premier League in the past couple of months with West Ham United one of those clubs interested. TMW claim the East London side would have to offer €18m to Sassuolo to land Defrel.

West Ham will be keen to strenghten their attacking options in the next window following their problems in this department this season. Andy Carroll has struggled with injuries whilst summer signing Simone Zaza has failed to score since arriving from Juventus. Slaven Bilić could be forgiven for wanting to bring in another option at West Ham.