"Complete waste", "Avoid': West Ham potentially heading to disaster with £16.6m flop - verdict

According to Italian news outlet Messaggero Veneto, Udinese forward Gerard Deulofeu is being targeted by West Ham ahead of a potential €20m (£16.6m) summer transfer.

The former Watford winger has had an exceptional season in Serie A, scoring nine goals in 25 appearances and setting up two more, as he has transitioned effectively into becoming a striker.

His versatility could be a key reason behind the east London club’s interest, due to Michail Antonio being the only natural striker at the club and the Spaniard’s ability to also operate as a left winger.

While Deulofeu’s career has seemingly been revived in Italy, this would be his fourth stint in England – and if his previous spells are anything to go by, could it be an unsuccessful signing from a West Ham perspective? Our writers give their verdicts below….

“With just 20 goals in 127 games in his time in the Premier League, Deulofeu would be hugely underwhelming as a potential summer signing. The former Everton and Watford man showed flashes of his brilliance in England, but really struggled to deliver anywhere near the kind of consistent form that would suggest a third spell in the top flight would see him finally bring the goods.

“West Ham have taken several steps forward under David Moyes, and with a place in the Europa League quarter-finals already secured, and being well-placed in the Premier League for another impressive finish, the Hammers should be looking at real statement signings this summer. Deulofeu simply doesn’t fit the bill, and Moyes would be making a major howler to push through a move for the Spaniard. It’d quite frankly be a complete waste from GSB.”

“If West Ham were to make a move to bring Gerard Deulofeu back to the Premier League after his