David Sullivan ‘determined to sign Mikautadze’ as West Ham told fee to pay

West Ham United’s priority this summer is to strengthen in the centre-forward position and they’re already seeking out options.

Graham Potter‘s side have struggled in the final third throughout this season, with their 33 Premier League goals the fifth-lowest in the division and Wolves, a place below them, having netted seven more.

West Ham still sit a comfortable 17 points above the drop zone and have very little to play for over the course of their last 10 matches, allowing Potter the chance to look ahead to the summer transfer window.

Last summer’s haphazard recruitment strategy eventually saw both Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui pay with their jobs, with Potter and Kyle Macauley keen to address West Ham’s most pressing need.

West Ham identify £29.5m Mikautadze to solve striker problem

With the Hammers set to be on the hunt for a number nine this summer, Spanish outlet Fichajes reported (14 March) that the London Stadium board have set their sights on Lyon striker Georges Mikautadze.

Player Appearances Starts Goals Assists

Georges Mikautadze 36 18 12 6

The Georgian international has registered 12 goals and six assists in 36 appearances this term, leading Lyon to establish a £29.5million valuation which they won’t budge from as West Ham consider a bid.

West Ham are willing to offer such an amount in order to test Lyon’s resolve this summer with a Premier League move on the cards for the 24-year-old and the Irons’ board “determined” to launch an approach.

Mikautadze transfer must be priority for West Ham this summer

Though the hit-and-miss strategy employed by Steidten and Lopetegui last summer has left West Ham with plenty to do this time around, it’s crystal clear which positions are most in need of strengthening.

Last summer’s answer to West Ham’s long-term striker problem – which has been unsolvable since Michail Antonio’s arrival in 2015 – was Niclas Fullkrug, but he’s never come close to hitting the mark.