West Ham backed to strike 'brilliant' £20m+ transfer agreement despite Spurs connection | OneFootball

West Ham United have been told to sign former Tottenham Hotspur striker Troy Parrott from AZ Alkmaar for closer to £30 million...

West Ham United are keen on AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott, with the Irishman having come through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur prior to moving to the Dutch Eredivisie.

It's fair to say Troy Parrott's early years in English football never quite unfolded as many had predicted. Tipped as one of Spurs' brightest academy prospects, the Republic of Ireland striker endured mixed loan spells in the EFL with Millwall, Ipswich Town, MK Dons, and Preston North End.

Outside of a decent loan with MK Dons in League One, he struggled to consistently establish himself or develop the goalscoring rhythm expected of him. However, a loan move to Dutch side Excelsior proved to be the turning point.

Regular football and a system suited to his strengths reignited his career, prompting AZ Alkmaar to make the move permanent. Since then, Parrott has flourished in the Eredivisie, becoming one of the division's most prolific forwards.

The West Ham United verdict on beating the competition for former Spurs striker Troy Parrott

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Parrott's rich vein of form has also translated to the international stage, where he has become an increasingly influential figure for the Republic of Ireland. He almost fired them to this year's World Cup, with numerous vital goals, but they fell just short in the play-offs.

Having only scored three Championship goals for Preston back in 2022/23, the striker could now return to English football's second tier. West Ham United are reportedly keen on signing Parrott from AZ.

FLW’s West Ham fan pundit Ryan Horn was first asked if he thinks they’re capable of fending off all the top flight interest in his services, with a £20 million fee mooted. He replied: "£20 million for Troy Parrott would be brilliant. I think he'd do very well for us.

"He's in the prime of his career, I believe. I think he's in his mid 20s? I think he counts as homegrown as well, which does add value. I think it would be hard to get him because of clubs in the Premier League and other leagues that have a chance of European football.

"But if he would come to us, it would be brilliant. I'm very much keen, even though he's an ex-Spurs academy player.

"Even as an ex-Spurs player, I will look past that as soon as he starts wearing claret and blue and starts scoring goals for us. Football is a very fickle thing and so are fanbases. It's just how it is."

The West Ham United verdict on Troy Parrott's price tag

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We then asked about the fact a deal may cost over £20 million too and if he thinks Parrott would be worth that as a Hammers fan, having scored 31 goals for AZ in all competitions last season.

The West Ham supporter added: "I think £20 million is fine. I would say he's probably worth more than that.

"If you went and said £30 million for a goalscorer who scored 31 goals last season in all competitions, and if you take away the fact he played for Spurs, everybody would be biting your hand off for that. Every West Ham fan would.

"So, yeah, I think that £20 million is absolutely worth it. As soon as he starts banging goals in claret and blue, people will forget the Spurs side of it. Their reservations will go as more goals go in."

Troy Parrott's career stats after development at AZ Alkmaar

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Parrott's development over the past few years has been hugely impressive. After his difficult loan spells in England, there were genuine doubts over whether he would ever fulfil the potential that saw him so highly rated at Tottenham.

Instead, the Irishman has transformed himself into a far more well-rounded centre-forward. His goals against Portugal, Hungary, and Czechia in the last year highlight how he has matured, while his goal record in the Netherlands is truly outstanding.

Now 24, Parrott is entering what should be the prime years of his career, combining that often intelligent movement with improved finishing since moving abroad. He also has stronger link-up play and greater physical maturity.

His prolific form in the Eredivisie suggests he is a completely different player to the one who struggled for consistency in the EFL. That evolution should make him an attractive option for ambitious Championship clubs and lower-end Premier League sides.

A side such as West Ham, with many of the creative players capable of supplying chances already in place, could benefit enormously from a striker who now looks more than ready to lead the line at a high level. It's an ambitious move, but one worth exploring for the Hammers.