szczesny-lazio — ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 04: AS Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny competes for the ball with Keita Balde of SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on December 4, 2016 in Rome, Italy. (Picture source: Getty)

Arsenal Gossip

West Ham close in on Balde

Jul 20, 2017

West Ham are reportedly close to signing Lazio attacker Keita Balde.

Arsenal have been linked with Balde this summer
West Ham have reportedly agreed a fee

The 22-year-old had a breakthrough year for Lazio last season, scoring 16 goals in Serie A. He’s attracted plenty of interest from around Europe, but it seems West Ham are the closest to signing him.

According to reports, they’ve agreed a fee with Lazio and now have to agree personal terms. Arsenal were one of the clubs linked with him earlier in the summer, with reports of them considering a £26m bid. Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool have also been linked.

The Senegalese international had scored 10 goals in three seasons for Lazio, before scoring 16 in 31 appearances in the last campaign. He’s regarded as one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe and would be quite a coup for West Ham.

Arsenal have plenty of attackers currently and would likely have to sell if they want to add another.

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