West Ham United are plotting a move to sign TSG Hoffenheim winger Jacob Bruun Larsen, according to Kicker.
The 2023 Europa Conference League champions want to bolster the attacking options this summer as part of the club’s ambitious plan to challenge for a place in Europe next season.
Bruun Larsen is the latest of several names linked with a move to the London Stadium, although we’re yet to formalise our interest in the Danish winger.
The 25-year-old spent the last season on loan at Burnley, scoring six goals in 32 Premier League games as the Clarets were relegated to the Championship.
Despite finishing the season as Burnley’s top scorer, Hoffenheim have placed him on the chopping block, paving the way for potential suitors to swoop in.
However, they want to recoup north of the £7.5 million they paid to sign him from Borussia Dortmund in January 2020, even though he has one year left on his contract.
Bruun Larsen was part of Denmark’s squad at the 2024 European Championship in Germany but only made a cameo appearance in their last-16 defeat against the tournament hosts.
West Ham can do better than Bruun Larsen
Bruun Larsen’s Premier League stint appears to have garnered significant interest in his services, with Fulham and Crystal Palace also monitoring his situation.
However, West Ham should be looking for wingers of higher quality if we’re serious about competing for a place in Europe next season.
Bruun Larsen’s ability to slot in anywhere across the front three offers tactical flexibility for Julen Lopetegui. But he’s hardly an upgrade on Said Benhrama, and his sketchy injury record raises further questions about his reliability.
We need to prioritise wingers who can consistently deliver goals and creativity.
Despite netting six goals with Burnley, Bruun Larsen struggled to nail down a regular starting spot at Turf Moor, which should serve as a cautionary tale.
Investing in higher-calibre wingers will significantly improve our firepower and depth, which will do wonders for our European aspirations.
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