West Ham United has recently been associated with a potential move for Ajax’s Steven Bergwijn, and the ongoing speculations surrounding this link continue.
Last week, Fabrizio Romano reported that the Hammers are actively pursuing the former Tottenham player during the January transfer window. Romano stated, “Understand Steven Bergwijn is one of the top targets for West Ham in the January transfer window in case they will be able to find budget after outgoings.”
Dutch journalist Mike Verweij, contributing to VoetbalZone, has now disclosed that Ajax might be open to selling the reported target to West Ham for a fee of approximately £26 million. The journalist suggests that this amount would essentially allow Ajax to recover the sum they paid Spurs for the 26-year-old during the summer of 2022.
Verweij also speculates on West Ham’s interest in Bergwijn, hinting at a possible connection with coach John Heitinga, who previously collaborated with Bergwijn at Ajax. Voetbal Zone quotes Heitinga as saying, “West Ham United has dormant interest. I think that Heitinga, who has been there for six months now, has seen that Bergwijn can be of value in West Ham’s playing style, especially with his speed.”
Verweij adds, “I think that when Ajax gets the chance, perhaps not this winter, the club will cooperate in a transfer of Bergwijn. Only if they get their purchase price back, so around €30 million.” He expresses concern, stating, “Then I immediately lost all my confidence in Heitinga. If he (Heitinga) starts recommending Bergwijn to West Ham, I will lose my confidence in him. That is the same as with Ten Hag, then he gives Ajax a lot of money.”
With West Ham facing an attacking personnel crisis, with key players unavailable, the addition of Bergwijn, a talented player entering his prime with prior Premier League experience at Tottenham, seems like a plausible move. Bergwijn, described as a “fantastic striker” by former Spurs boss Antonio Conte in 2022, may view this opportunity as a chance to make a mark in the Premier League once again, despite his previous stint not working out as expected.
