KEY POINTS

  • West Ham boss David Moyes raved about PSV Eindhoven's Donyell Malen's game
  • Moyes' comments on Malen sparked rumors of potential transfer plans for Malen
  • The Hammers are expected to pursue a striker this summer

West Ham United boss David Moyes may have just teased future transfer plans involving a prolific striker.

There has been a plethora of forwards being linked to West Ham in recent months. Ahead of the UEFA Euro, Hammers manager Moyes lauded PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands striker Donyell Malen.

“[Donyell] Malen is an interesting talent who comes into the category of up-and-coming players to watch,” Moyes recently told U.K.'s The Times. “He probably starts the [Euro] tournament as back-up to Memphis Depay but he scored 27 goals for PSV Eindhoven last season. And Holland are still striving to find their best XI and formation. Which means you might see some of their young players getting opportunities.”

“Malen was at Arsenal as a youngster and is attracting [English] Premier League interest again,” the coach added.

It didn’t take long for the media to note that Moyes’ recent comments on Malen could spark rumors of a possible transfer swoop.

The Hammers are expected to pursue a formidable forward following the departure of Sebastien Haller earlier this year.

While West Ham’s link-up with Malen is still considered premature, there are “a few murmurings” claiming that Moyes is open to the idea of bringing back Marko Arnautovic to England from Shanghai Port FC, Talksport presenter and transfer insider Alex Crook said.

“There are a few murmurings that Marko Arnautovic would fancy a return to the London Stadium,” Crook said. “I think David Moyes would probably welcome that from what I’m told. I’m not convinced the fans and the owners would.”

David Moyes won his first match back in charge of West Ham
David Moyes won his first match back in charge of West Ham AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS

Malen finished the 2020-21 season with a bang, having notched a whopping 24 goals in 40 matches across all competitions for PSV Eindhoven.

The 22-year-old’s exceptional form in club football has got his fellow Dutchman and former UEFA star Wesley Sneijder envisioning him as one of the country’s top performers in the Euros.

”I think he [Malen] is a really great striker,” Sneijder told “Voetbal International Live Show.” “And I really think that if he gets the chance to play, he could become a sensation in this European Championship,” he added. “I’m really charmed by that boy.”

Sneijder further pointed out that Malen would be a better co-attacking mate for Memphis Depay than Wout Weghorst.

“There’s a lot of movement with those two [Depay and Malen] in the front,” the 2010 UEFA midfielder of the season assessed. “I would rather opt for movement, with two players who can dive into the spaces, than a static striker [like Weghorst]."