Forget Jamie Vardy: West Ham can break Millwall hearts with controversial Burnley swoop | OneFootball

West Ham United should look to sign Zian Flemming from Burnley this summer in a move that would surely upset Millwall supporters

As West Ham United's search for another centre-forward rumbles on, the answer to Nuno Espirito Santo's striker problems may be a controversial one.

West Ham have managed to retain a large bulk of their squad following relegation to the Championship for the first time in over 14 years, yet head coach Nuno will be keen to ensure his squad are stronger than in their final Premier League games last season when they take on Burnley this weekend.

The departures of Mateus Fernandes for £85 million, Crysencio Summerville for £60 million, and Freddie Potts for £10 million have brought in over £150 million worth of player sales this summer so far, as director of player recruitment Nils Koppen weighs up his transfer kitty.

Recruits in forward areas appear to remain the priority with the Championship campaign just around the corner, with Irish striker Troy Parrott being heavily courted, whilst former Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has also been linked with a move to the London Stadium.

However, Nuno's answer to his striker question may come in the form of a controversial switch, in a move that is bound to upset more than one fanbase.

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Parrott, 24, has excelled since his initial switch to the Netherlands with Excelsior in 2023, and has further taken his game to the next level with AZ Alkmaar.

The Irish forward has also attracted interest from the likes of Fulham, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Real Betis and Como recently, but the Hammers appear to be in pole position to bring the former Tottenham Hotspur striker back to the English capital.

Vardy, 39, has become a free agent once again this summer following his release from Italian side Cremonese, with whom he was unable to avoid relegation last campaign.

The former England international scored 200 goals in 500 appearances across all competitions during his time with Leicester City, and is currently on the search for another club, with West Ham having been touted as a potential destination.

However, the Hammers should be looking elsewhere to add to their attacking ranks, and must consider a move for Burnley's Zian Flemming.

Flemming, 28, hit double digits for the Clarets in the Premier League last season despite relegation, and whilst the likes of Maxime Esteve, Loum Tchaouna, Florentino, and Jaidon Anthony have all left Turf Moor this summer, the Dutch forward, for now, remains.

The Burnley striker netted the equaliser in his side's 1-1 draw with Notts County in the League Cup, whilst also netting the opening penalty in the shootout, and is set to take on the Hammers this weekend.

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Flemming first made the move to England in the summer of 2022 with Millwall, having spent time with the likes of Ajax, PEC Zwolle, NEC Nijmegen, and Fortuna Sittard.

The Dutchman would score 23 and assist eight in 92 appearances across all competitions during his stay at The Den, before joining Burnley on loan in 2024 with an obligation to buy for £7 million, which was triggered last summer following their return to the Premier League.

Flemming has since attracted the interest of the likes of Brentford and Leeds United this summer, but West Ham should look to jump to the front of the queue to secure this controversial deal.

Last year in the Premier League, Flemming displayed his abilities to effectively lead a forward line in the top flight, outperforming his expected goals, winning fouls for his side, and leading the press from the front.

With Taty Castellanos, Pablo Felipe, and Niclas Füllkrug as West Ham's current options up top, Nuno is looking to add another forward or two to that roster, with none of those guaranteed to still be at the club beyond the summer.

Flemming, at 28, ought now to be in his prime, and with ample Championship and now Premier League experience under his belt, he could be an incredible option for the Hammers.

Nuno Espirito Santo must complete West Ham transfer swoop in a deal Burnley and Millwall would hate

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With Burnley having lost a good chunk of their squad from last season and not really having added, they will not be under too much pressure to part ways with Flemming this summer either.

Under contract until the summer of 2029, the Clarets are firmly in the driving seat when it comes to negotiating a fee for the Dutchman, and they will want to keep him at all costs, and especially not sell him to a potential promotion rival.

Millwall, too, will not be a fan of this potential switch, with Flemming having become a popular figure amongst Lions supporters during his spell in Bermondsey, and moving to their bitter rivals would be a bitter pill to swallow.