Breaking News: West Ham United eyeing loan-to-buy deal for highly experienced Premier League forward…. See more…….
London, July 2025 — West Ham United are nearing a deal to bring in a seasoned Premier League striker on a loan-to-buy arrangement, sources familiar with the club’s transfer strategy confirm. The move aligns with manager Graham Potter’s continued efforts to bolster his attacking options following contract exits and significant squad changes over the summer.
🔍 The Context
After finishing 14th in the Premier League under Potter last season, West Ham have restructured their squad significantly. Notably, contract terminations saw veterans including Danny Ings, Aaron Cresswell, Vladimír Coufal, and Michail Antonio leave the club following the expiration of their deals on June 30, 2025. Meanwhile, striker Jarrod Bowen remains the team’s top Premier League scorer, but with just five league goals in the previous season, the club’s need for firepower is acute .
The new arrivals—centre-back Jean‑Clair Todibo, forward Daniel Cummings, and left-wing back El Hadji Malick Diouf—help address defensive and midfield gaps, but the striking department remains thin. Michail Antonio’s miraculous recovery from a serious accident this past winter leaves his future uncertain, intensifying West Ham’s urgency to sign attacking reinforcements .
🎯 Target in Focus: André Silva
Central to West Ham’s plans is RB Leipzig and Portugal international André Silva. At 29, Silva comes with a wealth of top-level experience—including stints at Porto, AC Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Sevilla—and over 50 caps for his national team, during which he netted 19 goals and helped lift the UEFA Nations League in 2019 .
Sky Germany initially reported West Ham were in advanced talks for Silva on an initial loan until the end of the season, including a buy option. Discussions are described as “constructive” and preferred by the club given their reluctance to pay a large transfer fee mid-window . Football Insider added that West Ham appear particularly well-placed to secure the deal, potentially with an obligation to buy, aligning with the club’s risk-averse approach to long-term expenditures amid tighter budgeting constraints .
🧾 Why a Loan-to-Buy Makes Sense
West Ham’s preference for a loan-to-buy structure is driven by practical and strategic considerations. Firstly, it allows the club to ease financial impact in the short term—particularly relevant given UEFA’s profit and sustainability rules. Secondly, it grants them flexibility: if Silva proves a good fit and returns to goal-scoring form, they can make the move permanent; if not, the short-term loan minimizes risk.
Additionally, Manchester-based striker Jack Grealish has been linked with a potential loan move to West Ham due to his high wages at Manchester City impeding a permanent transfer. Though not yet publicly confirmed, Grealish (29)—with just seven Premier League starts last season—is also reportedly open to temporary moves, as both West Ham and Everton monitor his situation . However, Silva remains the club’s primary target for this specific approach.
⚠️ Challenges & Complications
West Ham’s offensive recruitment has been hampered by multiple hurdles. Earlier speculation linked the club to young talisman Jhon Duran of Aston Villa, but talks stalled—as player exits (notably Danny Ings) have been delayed and the club still seeks to offload several squad members before further signings can be completed .
Similarly, efforts to sign Brighton’s Evan Ferguson on loan during the winter window fell through amid concerns over his fitness, lack of playing time, and reluctance from Brighton to include an option or obligation to buy. Ferguson has since moved on loan to AS Roma instead, stretching any early-link suggestions about a longer-term commitment to West Ham .
Another potential candidate, Moussa Dembélé (currently in Saudi Arabia), has been floated to West Ham on a loan-to-buy basis—but tax complications and logistics for moves from Saudi leagues are making negotiations complex and less likely to materialize before the window shuts .
🧩 Squad Balance & Financial Strategy
With Fullkrug, Bowen, Cummings, and Diouf in place and Antonio’s status uncertain, the arrival of Silva could provide the best blend of experience, leadership, and immediate impact. Potter clearly values flexibility: loan-to-buy structures allow performance-based evaluation, preserve transfer capital for other necessary squad reinforcements, and avoid over-commitment amid a historically underwhelming striker pipeline.
Financially, the club’s sale of Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham for £55 million on July 10 helped inject fresh funds into the roster—but West Ham still appear cautious about dishing out large fees up front for players in their late 20s or early 30s .
📝 Outlook
As of late July 2025, West Ham stand on the brink of completing a loan-to-buy agreement for André Silva—the “very experienced Premier League attacker” on their radar. If finalized, the move would represent a strategic fit: offering seasoned quality in attack without immediate outlay, leaving Potter room to refine his squad further. The deal also signals West Ham’s conservative, sustainable approach to spending in what remains a challenging financial environment for Premier League clubs.
Should Silva’s loan succeed, a permanent transfer is expected. In the meantime, West Ham continue to monitor other options, including short-term solutions and youth targets, but Silva combines experience, immediate utility, and affordability—a clear priority for the Hammers as they prepare for the 2025/26 campaign.
