West Ham have moved closer to signing Brentford striker Scott Hogan today with an improved £12.5 million bid, according to the London Evening Standard.
West Ham have been keen on Hogan for a while now this window and have already had two bids of £10 million and £11.5 million rejected by the Championship club. It is believed that Brentford want at least £15 million should they let Hogan leave the club, as 30% of any transfer fee will be paid to Rochdale, his former club.
Hogan began his career with Rochdale but was released at the end of the 2009-10 season. The striker then played for several non-league clubs before returning to Rochdale in 2013. Hogan had a good season, scoring 17 goals in 33 League Two appearances.
Brentford then signed the striker for £750,000 but Hogan was out for nearly two seasons due to injury. When he returned towards the end of last season, Hogan scored seven goals in as many Championship games.
The striker has started this season in similar form, scoring 14 goals in 25 Championship appearances. This form has attracted interest from several clubs, with West Ham looking the most likely to sign Hogan.
If West Ham do sign Hogan, the striker will have gone from playing non-league football to Premier League football in less than four years, despite being out injured for almost two years in-between.
West Ham have failed to live up to the same standard of last season and find themselves in 13th place after 20 games. The signing of Hogan could provide a welcome boost to the team and propel the club up the league table.
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