West Ham United are reportedly considering a big-money move to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick in January.
After finishing Euro 2020 as the joint-top goalscorer over the summer, the Czech Republic international has continued his brilliant form in front of goal by netting 16 times in just 14 Bundesliga appearances this term.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Hammers have identified Schick as one of their primary attacking targets and they are now weighing up a £40m offer to sign the 25-year-old in the winter window.
The report adds that Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, who recently purchased a 27% stake in the East London outfit, is prepared to hand David Moyes substantial funds to bolster his squad in January.
Moyes is keen to recruit a new centre-forward to provide more competition for talisman Michail Antonio, who ended a 10-game goal drought with a header against Southampton on Boxing Day.
The Hammers may face competition from Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City to sign Schick, with the latter identifying the striker as a potential alternative to their number-one target Harry Kane.
Schick, who has a contract with Leverkusen until June 2025, could become the fourth Czech international to join West Ham should he leave the German outfit, with Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and loanee Alex Kral already plying their trade at the London Stadium.
Oliver Thomas
