Former Millwall loanee linked with West Ham United transfer

Former Millwall loanee Dan Ballard is being linked with a summer switch to West Ham United.

The 23-year-old centre-back spent the 2021-22 season on loan with the Lions from Arsenal before making a permanent move to Sunderland for £2million.

And now reports claim that West Ham have targeted the Northern Ireland international.

It has been claimed that there is also overseas interest in Ballard.

He made 31 appearances for Millwall, his impact only slightly dampened by being sidelined with a couple of knee niggles.

Ballard played 19 times in the Championship for Sunderland last season but had an extended time out with a broken foot.

A hamstring injury then wiped out the end of his campaign, last featuring in a 1-1 draw against Luton on March 18.

WEST HAM REJECT BID MANCHESTER CITY FOR ARSENAL TARGET DECLAN RICE

Manchester have had a £90 million offer turned down by West Ham United for the services of Arsenal target Declan Rice, according to The Athletic.

Arsenal transfer round-up: Jurrien Timber agreement as Gunners target Declan Rice backup - Mirror Online

The Premier League champions informed West Ham last night that they were ready to pay an initial £80m plus a further £10m in add-ons. However, West Ham are holding out for a fee of at least £100m to part ways with their most prized asset and skipper.

Off the back of two unsuccessful bids for Rice – the latest of which was a £75m+£15m offer – Arsenal are expected to return with a third offer for Rice in the coming days, although it remains to be seen if they will meet West Ham’s valuation.

Up until now, Mikel Arteta’s men looked to be in control of their pursuit of Rice, who has also been linked with a move to Manchester United, but Man City’s recent emergence means Arsenal must act fast to get a deal over the line.

After finishing runners-up to Man City during the recently-concluded campaign, Arsenal will be looking to close the gap on Pep Guardiola’s men and cannot afford to lose a player of Rice’s quality, especially having been in the driving seat for long.

While a deal for Rice remains in the balance, Arsenal are set to land Jurrien Timber from Ajax having tabled a second bid for the Dutchman yesterday.

With Timber and Rice potentially joining Kai Havertz as new additions, Arsenal are poised to splurge over £200m this summer as they prepare for a return to the Champions League following a five-year absence from Europe’s premier club competition.

The Gunners would like to have concluded a large degree of their transfer business before reporting for pre-season duty which kicks off with a clash against German lower league side FC Nurnberg next month.