---
title: "West Ham: Journalist hints at ‘cheap’ move for Eddie Nketiah"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-journalist-hints-at-cheap-move-for-eddie-nketiah/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2022-01-07T12:08:09Z"
modified: "2022-01-07T12:08:19Z"
---

# West Ham: Journalist hints at ‘cheap’ move for Eddie Nketiah

**West Ham are interested in signing Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, but a move would not come until late in the window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.**

### The Lowdown: Nketiah out of favour at Arsenal

The 22-year-old has been [hailed](https://arseblog.news/2020/06/arteta-i-have-a-lot-of-faith-in-nketiah/) as ‘extraordinary’ by Gunners manager Mikel Arteta but he hasn’t been considered a key man in the Premier League at the Emirates this season.

Nketiah has [only appeared in 38 minutes of action](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/345845/Show/Eddie-Nketiah) in the Premier League in 2021/22 to date, with his three starts all coming in the Carabao Cup.

However, he has been phenomenal in those cup showings, scoring five times in just 263 minutes on the pitch – [a goal every 52.6 minutes](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/345845/Show/Eddie-Nketiah). He has also boasted an incredible [4.7 shots per game](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/345845/Show/Eddie-Nketiah) in the cup, one of which was a [sublime back-heel finish](https://www.planetfootball.com/videos/eddie-nketiah-arsenal-hat-trick-great-goal-nicolas-pepe-nutmeg/) to complete a hat-trick vs Sunderland.

The young striker has been [linked](https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/west-ham-eye-january-eddie-nketiah-swoop-and-arsenal-ace-has-made-up-his-mind/) with a move to West Ham in the past and it appears as though a switch could still happen.

\[freshpress-poll id=”378392″\]

### The Latest: Journalist confirms West Ham’s interest

Speaking to [*Give Me Sport*](https://www.givemesport.com/1815134-west-ham-transfer-news-moyes-could-land-his-own-ian-wright-with-late-window-swoop), O’Rourke claimed that the Hammers see Nketiah as a target, although there are other players higher on the list too:

> “I’m sure he’s on the list at West Ham but I don’t think he’s a top target.
>
> “He could be a cheap option late in the window if they don’t sign their other top targets. Arsenal will probably be looking to sell with his contract up in the summer.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375613″\]

### The Verdict: Long-term investment?

There is a risk element to signing Nketiah, considering he is yet to show that he can perform at a consistent level in the Premier League, [scoring just five times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/eddie-nketiah/alletore/spieler/340324) in 41 appearances in the competition.

That being said, he is still only 22 and could arrive on a free transfer after his contract [expires this summer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/eddie-nketiah/profil/spieler/340324) or for a nominal fee this month, acting as a backup to Michail Antonio and hopefully maturing in the coming years into his replacement.

In truth, not signing Nketiah certainly wouldn’t be a blow for West Ham but there is sense behind taking a punt on him. His pace has been [described](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/two-footed-with-blistering-pace-arsenal-striker-eddie-nketiahs-future-is-now-0x6f0w3sd) as ‘blistering’ by Tony Cascarino, and he is England Under-21s’ [all-time record goalscorer](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/13/eddie-nketiah-record-scorer-england-under-21-turkey-euro-2021), so the ability is certainly there if he can find the consistency.

***In other news, a reporter has shared some West Ham transfer news. Read more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-transfer-rumours/west-ham-united-sky-sports-lucas-digne-update-latest-transfer-news-whufc-david-moyes-rob-dorsett-everton/).***