Coral’s Rumour Reel: Hammers hounding Foxes striker Kramaric?
Published:
Holly Thackeray | January 13, 2016
West Ham to keep Croatian striker quota
Striker gossip is the order of the day, with a gaggle of Premier League clubs on the hunt for new stars to spearhead their sides in the New Year.
West Ham United lead the pack for lethal frontmen, with Croatian coach Slaven Bilic apparently willing to offload former international charge Nikica Jelavic to Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande to help stump up cash for Juventus attacker Simone Zaza, with wantaway Leeds United defender Sam Byram also linked to Upton Park for good measure.
Though, should the Hammers succeed in offloading recent FA Cup goal hero Jelavic, Bilic is similarly tipped to be following the scent of another of his compatriots in out-of-favour Foxes forward Andrej Kramaric, who could be snapped up for as little as £6m.
Speaking recently, Leicester City coach Claudio Ranieri spoke of crafty former Chelsea target Kramaric, stating: “He needs to play. If he stays with me I am happy, because he is a good player, a fantastic boy, but he doesn’t have too many chances to play. I suggest to him to go.”
Blues tailing five forwards
Also in the mix for a marksman are Chelsea, who are being linked left, right and centre with a replacement and/or back-up for inconsistent dangerman Diego Costa.
Throw a few rumours at the wall and something should surely stick, with the Blues tipped to be working their scouts overtime and tracking five frontmen. The lucky players mentioned include another Foxes star in Jamie Vardy, with West Bromwich Albion sharpshooter Saido Berahino and AC Milan hitman Carlos Bacca also connected to a Stamford Bridge switch.
Interim boss Guus Hiddink could also return to Chelsea’s favoured shopping outlet, Atletico Madrid, to follow up the purchase of Costa with a swoop for another of Diego Simeone’s strikers – Jackson Martinez. The once prolific Porto poacher has been far from potent in the Spanish capital, so a move could suit both parties.
Though, the last goal-hunter linked on the list left Coral writers scratching our heads, as much-touted free agent Emmanuel Adebayor’s name is once again doing the rounds, with the Togo battering ram rumoured to be under consideration by Roman Abramovich and co.
Spurs search continues, a City suprise
Not to be outdone by their capital rivals, Tottenham are still also on a quest to bolster their attack. Baggies academy product Berahino is still the striker for the White Hart Lane club it seems, with the England Under-21 star apparently ready to snub other sides for the north Londoners. Though, with the Blues and Liverpool also said to be circling, there could be a further twist in the tale yet.
Also on the move, but this time away from Stamford Bridge, is Loic Remy. Though Spurs will again have to repel the Reds to land the French forward.
While, further north, Manchester City are believed to be targeting Fulham’s teenage striking sensation Moussa Dembele, who could be on a Bosman come summer. Yet, in a more surprising spot of gossip, Chelsea defensive stalwart Branislav Ivanovic is also said to be tickling City’s fancy.
Related
Read previous rumour reels to catch up on winter window gossip.
And also stay up to date with all the latest transfer news in our live football blog.
