West Ham United have set their sights on Chelsea striker Loic Remy as they look to boost their striking options and if reports are to be believed then the Hammers have opened talks with the Blues over the player’s move to the London Stadium. The Hammers boss Slaven Billic is desperate to bring in a striker in the squad after their first choice players Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew both went out of action due to injury.
To add to their woes further, Jonathan Calleri has signed for Deportivo Maldonado and there are doubts regarding both Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia futures at the club.
Hammers are looking up to Remy as a solution to their problem and want to sign the player on a loan deal. However, reports suggest that the Blues are looking to let go of the player on a permanent basis. Chelsea want to offload Remy and hence prefer a sale of the player whilst still being open to letting him go on a loan deal. The Frenchman will be a smart target for the Hammers keeping in mind his goal-scoring if given regular first team chances.
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Remy joined Chelsea on August 2014 from Queens Park Rangers, in a deal worth £10.5m. He, further, went on to make his debut for the Blues first team on 13th September 2014 during the match against Swansea City as a substitute for Diego Costa and scored his first goal for Chelsea in the same match. The player went on to score nine goals for the Blues in 27 appearances in his first season at the Bridge. However, last season saw Remy make only 13 appearances for Chelsea with just one goal to his credit.
The French striker has not featured in any of Antonio Conte Premier League squads so far this season. Moreover, Blues signing Michy Batshuayi in the squad have sent Remy further down the pecking order, making him Chelsea’s backup striker after Diego Costa and Batshuayi, who are Chelsea Boss Conte’s first choice strikers for the team.
The player is available for a move out of the club this summer as a first team chance elsewhere will be a good decision for him and since West Ham are in need of a striker on loan, Remy’s move to the Hammers will work to benefit both the sides.
Crystal Palace and Valencia too have been linked with the 29-year-old striker with a potential transfer move in cards; however as of now West Ham are the hot favorites to acquire the player’s services.