Hammers need to find £40 million

Despite Leicester struggling throughout last seasonand eventually being relegayed, Harvey Barnes enjoyed arguably the best season of his career netting an remarkable 13 times in the Premier League, as per Transfermarkt.

However, despite going down. City will still be holding out for a fee close to £40 million in order for them to consider selling the homegrown talent

At face value, the Hammers appear to have their winger situation sorted, with Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen both enjoying impressive 2022/23 campaigns. However, there is a distinct lack of depth in this area for David Moyes to fall back on.

The Scotsman has attempted to mould Pablo Fornals into a left-winger, although the Spaniard still appears to be better suited to a more central role within the midfield, and summer signing Maxwell Cornet has found it difficult to make an impact in East London – failing to score a single goal last season following injury.

Therefore, Barnes, who is more than capable of competing with Benrahma and Bowen for a starting spot in the team, would be a very smart addition to the squad.

‘He gives us that magic’: Portsmouth boss John Mousinho on why Fratton faithful will relish ex-Wigan, Lincoln and West Ham attacker

Anthony Scully can finally conjure up the attacking ‘magic’ the Fratton faithful have long craved.

That’s the tantalising verdict of John Mousinho on Pompey’s fifth signing of a racing start to their transfer window dealings.

Scully was recruited from Wigan for an undisclosed fee on Friday evening, ending a forgettable nine months with the crisis-hit club.

Yet it was in League One at Lincoln where the former West Ham apprentice made his name, netting 37 goals in 106 appearances.

Pompey’s boss has earmarked the right-footer for a left-wing role in his team next season.

And he is convinced the 24-year-old can provide the creativity so frustratingly absent from his attacking options last season.

Mousinho told The News: ‘It’s hardly a secret that we’ve needed a bit more across those front positions in terms of goals, creativity and assists – and we definitely think Anthony can produce that.

‘He can provide that bit of creativity we need, especially when we play against sides at home who sometimes sit deep. We need someone who has that bit of magic.

‘What we are getting is a player with a really good eye for goal, his numbers and productivity is excellent, and, with letting Reeco (Hackett) go to Lincoln, we envisage Anthony playing in that left-wing role.

‘Coming through the ranks at West Ham, he played a lot of games down the middle as a centre-forward and his last game for Wigan was also at centre-forward.

‘In my opinion, his most successful spells have been while playing off the left at Lincoln, so I think that’s where he’s best suited, but he has the flexibility.

‘Anthony is very intelligent, he links play really well, and is extremely hard working. Not only has he the quality, but also the work-rate.’

Scully was bought by Wigan in September 2022 for an undisclosed fee, yet struggled for games.

Team selection and a hernia issue restricted him to just five Championship appearances during their relegation campaign.

Now, nine months later, he is on the move again – and Mousinho is convinced Scully has a point to prove.

He added: ‘When I first spoke to Anthony, one of the things which really shone through was his hunger.

‘He had big expectations of himself in the Championship last season and, for whatever reason, things didn’t quite work out.

‘He definitely has a point to prove at Pompey.’