‘I’ve been chased by Arsenal and Man Utd – I could finally be heading to Premier League’

Andre Silva is in talks to join West Ham on loan, yet the Portuguese striker could have made his way to the Premier League years ago after Arsenal and Manchester United showed interest

RB Leipzig forward Andre Silva could finally be heading to the Premier League to join West Ham – years after being heavily linked with Manchester United and Arsenal.

New Hammers boss Graham Potter has identified the prolific Portuguese striker as a solution to his attacking issues and the Irons now appear to be finalising a loan move for the 29-year-old until the end of the season. There is also set to be an option to buy should Silva become a success at the London Stadium.

However, his route to England could have looked very different, as back in 2021, Arsenal and United were circling following his impressive numbers for Eintracht Frankfurt. At the time, Mikel Arteta was on the hunt for a proven goal scorer and the Gunners were said to be one of the sides interested in Silva as a replacement for wantaway striker Alexandre Lacazette.

United, then under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, were believed to have been offered the forward for around £30million, only for the club to decide to extend Edinson Cavani’s loan stay at Old Trafford for another season instead. Despite the two Premier League heavyweights seemingly being an option for him, Silva ultimately elected to relocate to Leipzig.

When asked about the links to Old Trafford, Silva told Portuguese publication O Jogo: “I’ve heard rumours, but that is it. Rumours are rumours. At the end of this season, it’s something that gives me more motivation to work. It’s a sign that what I have accomplished has borne fruit and the path has been good.”

Beginning his professional life at Porto, Silva has had stints at AC Milan, Sevilla, Frankfurt and Real Sociedad. While he has so far struggled to stay at a club beyond three seasons, there’s no doubting his eye for goal, with the star scoring 19 for his country in 53 games.

It was his prowess in the box for Porto that caught the attention of Serie A giants Milan, who swooped for €38m (£32m) in 2017. His big-money move to Italy didn’t go quite to plan, however, with the striker making 40 appearances for the Rossoneri across two seasons and scoring 10 goals. He managed one more than that on loan at Sevilla, but his move to Frankfurt saw him bag 45 in 71 games.

A record of 27 goals and 20 assists in 110 appearances for Leipzig has garnered the interest of the Hammers. He’s fallen out of favour and spent last season at Sociedad, where he got on the scoresheet four times. While West Ham are considered favourites for his signature, a final agreement is yet to be reached and other Bundesliga clubs are believed to hold an interest in the striker.

Potter’s need for a new goalscorer has only increased with Niclas Fullkrug picking up a long-term injury, while Michail Antonio is out indefinitely following his car crash. However, should any deal for Silva collapse, it’s believed the Hammers have another iron in the fire and are also trailing Ajax’s 22-year-old forward Brian Brobbey.

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