West Ham United are preparing for a three-way Premier League battle to secure the signature of in-form AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott during the January transfer window.
Premier League Trio Chase Irish Goal Machine
The Hammers will compete against top-flight rivals Everton and Leeds United for the Republic of Ireland international, who has emerged as one of Europe's most promising attacking talents. Parrott's valuation is set at approximately £26 million, with his current club determined to break their transfer record.
The 23-year-old striker has captured attention with his spectacular performances during the recent international break. Parrott scored a brace in Ireland's 2-0 victory against Portugal, then followed up with an impressive hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Hungary. This international form mirrors his outstanding club record, where he has netted 13 times in just 14 appearances for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie.
West Ham's Striker Search Intensifies
West Ham's pursuit comes as manager Nuno Espirito Santo faces limited attacking options. The imminent departure of Niclas Fullkrug, who joined from Borussia Dortmund for £27 million just eighteen months ago, leaves the Portuguese coach with only Callum Wilson and Callum Marshall as recognised strikers.
According to transfer specialist Ekrem Konur and reports from Football Insider, West Ham view Parrott as a potential solution to their goal-scoring concerns. The East London club are determined to strengthen their attacking lineup to avoid being drawn into a relegation battle during the second half of the season.
Transfer Complications and Tottenham's Stake
The potential transfer involves additional complexity due to Tottenham Hotspur's sell-on clause. When Spurs sold Parrott to AZ Alkmaar for just £6.7 million in 2024, they inserted a provision entitling them to a percentage of any future transfer fee. This means a significant portion of the £26 million would return to North London.
AZ Alkmaar are determined to surpass their current club record sale of £19 million, set when Alireza Jahanbakhsh joined Brighton in 2018. The Dutch club's firm negotiating stance means any buying club will need to meet their valuation to secure Parrott's services.
Sherwood's Glowing Endorsement
Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has offered strong praise for Parrott's character and determination. Speaking on Sky Sports, Sherwood revealed his admiration for the young striker's personality and suggested Tottenham may have made a mistake in letting him leave.
"I was working with the Development Team for a long time," Sherwood explained. "I went back in and had a chat with Troy, who was one of the stars of the time. I could tell when I was talking to him, he had a little bit of steel in his eye, a little bit of determination. I just fell in love with the kid's personality."
Sherwood questioned Tottenham's decision to sell Parrott, noting: "I'm not sure he's had a fair opportunity to prove himself. He's had to go to AZ to do that. He's not just appeared all of a sudden over these last two games for Republic of Ireland, he's been banging in goals like you wouldn't believe in Holland."
Despite making only two Premier League appearances for Tottenham, Parrott has gained valuable European experience, scoring four goals in last season's Europa League before AZ Alkmaar were eliminated by his former club in the last 16.
The January transfer window promises to be a critical period for West Ham as they seek to bolster their attacking options, with the race for Troy Parrott's signature likely to dominate their winter business alongside their search for a new centre-back.
