"The problem for West Ham is..." – Journalist drops transfer claim as "top clubs" eye 23 G/A ace

West Ham United are set to face extensive competition for the signature of Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Hammers have long been linked with a new goalscorer and are expected to be in the market for one yet again over the summer transfer window.

During January, Italian outlet CalcioMercato claimed that West Ham had Schick in their sights as they attempted to bolster their depleted forward line, although a formal offer failed to materialise.

Instead, the capital club reportedly saw a club-record £60 million bid for Benfica’s Darwin Nunez turned down, while a deadline day move for Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata also proved unsuccessful.

David Moyes’ charges have been left with Michail Antonio as their only recognised striker ever since Sebastien Haller’s departure for Ajax back in January 2021.

And although the Jamaica international has been impressive over the last 18 months, registering 34 goal contributions since the beginning of 2020/21, he has started to look a little jaded of late.

While Antonio found the back of the net against Southampton in the recent FA Cup defeat, it’s now been eight games since he scored in a Premier League fixture, emphasising the need for attacking reinforcements.

O’Rourke has claimed that while West Ham are keen to sign Schick, their hopes of bringing him to the London Stadium face a major ‘problem’ as he’s also on the radar of ‘a lot of top clubs’.

He told GiveMeSport: “The problem for West Ham is he’s going to be on the list of a lot of top clubs.

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“I’ve seen Manchester United linked to him, Newcastle were credited with an interest in him as well in the