West Ham United eye Sporting CP star amid Niclas Fullkrug exit news

West Ham United are closely monitoring the developments of Sporting CP forward Conrad Harder, according to TBR Football.

The news outlet reported on Thursday (9 January) that the Hammers have joined Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for Harder’s services.

Graham Potter was appointed to replace Julen Lopetegui in East London on 9 January, and while it remains unclear how his arrival will affect the upcoming transfer plans, the new boss may be forced into the market for a forward after Eintracht Frankfurt declared their intention to pursue Niclas Fullkrug [Florian Plettenberg].

West Ham United will challenge to sign Conrad Harder

With Hammers duo Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen on the sidelines for the foreseeable future at the London Stadium, Potter is presented the first challenge of his tenure.

Fullkrug has battled with injury woes and failed to catch the eye with his minimal displays following his arrival from Borussia Dortmund.

Therefore, Potter must recruit a new focal point for his frontline in East London if he is to rectify what remains from the Lopetegui era.

Harder has spent the campaign in Lisbon playing understudy to Viktor Gyokeres, but he has managed to capture the attention of the Premier League with five goal contributions in 12 Liga Portugal appearances.

Although Sporting CP are expected to lose Gyokeres in the summer, a £42million offer is believed to be enough to convince the Portuguese outfit to part ways with Harder in January.

The Danish Under-21s international only arrived in Lisbon via Nordsjaelland in September, but the big three in Portugal are all too aware they are powerless should the Premier League come knocking for their star talent.

Harder is very much a long-term signing, and he has adapted well since leaving his native Denmark. At 19, has plenty of time to develop into a top-level striker.