West Ham United are linked with Montpellier forward
West Ham United’s search for players has taken the club to France’s Ligue 1, with Montpellier forward Gaëtan Laborde, the latest name to appear on the club’s list of potential signings.
The news that Laborde could join West Ham has come as a sudden surprise to many Hammers, and it has been reported that Montpellier does not intend to play him until after the transfer window has closed.
Laborde has been with Montpellier since 2018 and has scored 36 goals in 108 games for La Paillade. Montpellier fans know Laborde for his ability to play in different positions across the front line, and West Ham fans have compared this trait to Michail Antonio‘s style of play.
Laborde can also be an important playmaker in a team, as he recorded 16 goals and eight assists last season. These statistics are one key reason why he has been linked with a move elsewhere. The 27-year-old started his professional playing career with Bordeaux and made his debut for the first team in 2015.
West Ham United are linked with Montpellier forward
He joined Montpellier in 2018 against the wishes of then-Bordeaux manager Gus Poyet, which caused the latter to express his feelings to the media. Poyet was suspended over the comments regarding Laborde’s transfer, which was for a fee of approximately £2,500,000.
Several teams in Europe are fighting for Laborde’s signature, and it seems that the player is likely to leave his club if he asks to. Rennes is also interested in signing the striker to bolster its attacking options.
Next. The Green Street Hammers Predict: West Ham v Leicester. dark
It would be logical for West Ham to bid for Laborde in order to add another striker, especially due to the number of games this season and the fact that Michail Antonio can’t be relied on all the time. This summer, a new forward is a priority position for the Hammers, and time is running out to sign one.