West Ham United are lining up a £7million bid for Javier Hernandez, who fired Real Madrid into the UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
The Mexico international has endured a difficult time of late, having been deemed surplus to requirements by Louis van Gaal at Manchester United during the summer. So when Real came knocking with the offer to loan the striker for the duration of the current campaign, it was a deal which suited all parties and he arrived in the Spanish capital on 1 September.
However, Hernandez has struggled to make an impact at the Bernabeu, with just seven of his 25 appearances in all competitions coming from a starting berth. Circumstances placed him in Carlo Ancelotti’s XI in midweek though, and he delivered the goods by scoring a late winner against Atletico Madrid to set up a Champions League semi-final tie with Juventus.
Regardless, it remains unlikely that Los Blancos will take up the option to sign the 26-year-old on a permanent basis, nor will the player be too keen on spending more valuable time rooted to the bench. And whilst this would initially lead to a return to Old Trafford, he has just another 12 months left on his contract and van Gaal will look to offload him permanently in the summer.
Hernandez’s agent claimed in the aftermath of his heroics on Wednesday that there was plenty of interest in his client, and the Daily Mail believe the Hammers are amongst his admirers. The tabloid reports that the capital club are prepared to pay £7million for the striker, as they continue to build ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium at the start of 2016/17.
Such a move would guarantee regular first team football for the Mexican, who has scored 39 goals in 79 appearances for his country, but he may well hold out the hope that his goal against Atletico has sent a reminder to Champions League clubs of his ability in front of goal. Indeed, earlier this season it was suggested that Los Rojiblancos themselves are monitoring his situation.
Would Hernandez consider a move to West Ham, or will he try and force his way back into van Gaal’s plans when he returns to Manchester ahead of next season?
