West Ham United are hoping to sign Ethan Nwaneri and one of his Arsenal team-mates, with a report revealing how Andrea Berta has reacted to the Irons\u2019 first move.<\/p>\n
Last season was a breakout campaign for Nwaneri, as he capitalised on Bukayo Saka\u2019s injury to register nine goals and two assists in 37 first-team appearances. The central attacking midfielder, who can also play as a right winger, has elite potential and is viewed as one of Arsenal\u2019s best-ever academy products.<\/p>\n
However, Nwaneri<\/a> has cut a frustrated figure at times this season as he has been limited to just 12 outings in all competitions so far. This is due to fierce competition for places, plus the summer acquisition of fellow winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea.<\/p>\n Nwaneri\u2019s struggle for game time has led to speculation he could depart the Emirates on loan this month. Football.London<\/a> report that West Ham have made contact to sign the 18-year-old playmaker.<\/p>\n Nuno Espirito Santo\u2019s side are deep in a relegation fight and have supposedly identified Nwaneri as a player who can add creativity to their attack, despite his relative lack of experience.<\/p>\n The report adds that West Ham<\/a> are among numerous sides in England and Europe keen on Nwaneri. The Irons have held initial talks with both Arsenal sporting director Berta and the player\u2019s agent, but their interest has been \u2018rebuffed\u2019.<\/p>\n According to a separate update from Football Insider, West Ham have emerged as potential suitors for fellow Arsenal player Oleksandr Zinchenko<\/a>.<\/p>\n The left-back, who can also operate in midfield, could soon be on the hunt for a new club as Nottingham Forest are weighing up terminating his loan spell.<\/p>\n The report claims West Ham are searching for a new left-back and could rival Everton and Burnley for Zinchenko\u2019s signing, should Forest let him go.<\/p>\n The Ukrainian is not in Mikel Arteta\u2019s plans as the likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapie are ahead of him in the pecking order.<\/p>\n Check out TEAMtalk on Facebook <\/a>at 6pm tonight for a live transfer chat with Dean Jones and Graeme Bailey. <\/p>\n West Ham pursue Nwaneri, Zinchenko<\/p>\n West Ham have yet to make contact with Zinchenko\u2019s camp but could do so if he becomes available. While Arsenal<\/a> want to keep Nwaneri, they will likely let Zinchenko join West Ham given his squad status.<\/p>\n It emerged on January 8 that Bournemouth want to sign Nwaneri<\/a> after selling Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City. But they look set to be left disappointed, just like Nuno\u2019s side.<\/p>\n Our transfer insider Graeme Bailey revealed on December 31 that Nwaneri is not looking to leave Arsenal in January<\/a> as he still hopes to pick up more starts.<\/p>\n Plus, we understand that the Gunners do not want to sanction any kind of exit for Nwaneri amid their push for the Premier League title.<\/p>\n Arsenal transfer news: \u2018Formal\u2019 \u20ac50m move; Brazilian target<\/p>\n Arsenal ramp up dazzling \u20ac50m January signing as \u2018formal steps\u2019 taken to stun Chelsea, PSG<\/a><\/p>\n Arsenal launch move for Brazilian midfielder and may need to seal deal quickly<\/a><\/p>\n