WEST HAM have dropped out of the race to sign Lille striker Jonathan David after being asked to pay £10m in agent fees.
SunSport has learned that West Ham were willing to pay Lille’s £30 million asking price for the Canadian international.
But the Hammers refused to meet demands for agent fees totaling a third of the player’s transfer fee.
David is set to leave Lille this summer after finishing the final 12 months of his contract.
West Ham are among several Premier League clubs interested in his services, along with Chelsea and Newcastle.
The 24-year-old scored 84 goals in 183 appearances for Lille and also played an important role in helping Canada reach the semi-finals of this summer’s Copa América.
New West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui is on the hunt for a new striker after completing the £40m signing of Max Kilman from former club Wolves last month, but his bosses are refusing to make the deal happen.
West Ham have made a concerted effort to keep spending on agent fees low in recent years and paid £13.8m to intermediaries last season, far behind leaders Chelsea on £75m.
West Ham are now prioritizing the transfer of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, with the Colombian international available for around £35m.
The Londoners also join Tottenham as the most likely suitors for Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
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The Bees are ready to cut their asking price below £50m due to a lack of interest.
Arsenal are not prioritizing signing a striker this summer, Chelsea think Toney is too old and United signed Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5m.
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