West Ham United has emerged as surprise contenders to secure the services of Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema next summer. According to recent reports, the Hammers are hoping to try and persuade the French striker to make a move when the summer transfer window opens at the end of the season. It is believed that the France international will make a move away from the Spanish capital this summer with David Moyes’ side amongst the clubs who want to sign him.
Benzema has been plying his trade at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium since arriving at the club in the summer of 2009. However, his form has dipped in recent years and he has struggled to score goals consistently for the Galacticos during the course of this campaign. Some sources are claiming that Los Blancos president Florentino Perez values him at around £53m which none of his potential suitors are willing to match.
The French ace is reluctant to take a pay cut elsewhere and is currently in a comfortable position as his contract with the reigning European champions runs until the summer of 2021. Benzema’s high wages and asking price could be a major stumbling block for the Hammers. However, if they are successful in luring him to the London Stadium this summer, it would be a sensational coup for the East London club.
West Ham United are currently struggling in the Premier League and find themselves in the 17th position with just 8 league games remaining in this campaign. The Hammers are in dire need of some favourable results in the coming weeks following a horrendous 3-0 home loss versus Burnley at the London Stadium earlier this month. It seems highly likely that they will be dragged into a relegation dogfight going into the final stretch of the season.
David Moyes’ men have struggled to score enough goals during the course of this season so the addition of Benzema will undoubtedly improve their current squad and bolster David Moyes’ attacking options next season. Benzema has featured in 34 matches for Los Blancos this season, scoring 8 goals while providing 11 assists in all competitions. The French striker is exactly the kind of a ‘marquee’ signing that the East London outfit is in need of!
Benzema is a natural goal-scorer and his experience of playing at the top level will definitely be a key asset for the Hammers if they can pull off the deal in the summer. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Benzema and whether he ends up making a switch to the Premier League in the near future.
