It has been reported that Manuel Pellegrini will target Bournemouth and England striker Callum Wilson to replace fan favourite Marko Arnautovic should he complete a big-money move to China.
West Ham have received a £35million bid from a yet-to-be-confirmed Chinese Super League side for Arnautovic which they have turned down, wanting to keep the forward at the London Stadium.
However, the club fear that ludicrous weekly wages will tempt the striker to move to Asia, with Arnautovic reportedly in line to be paid around £200,000-per-week.
Rumours of Arnautovic leaving have led to West Ham keeping tabs on Wilson, according to the Mail, joining Chelsea in the race for the England international; the Blues have been linked with Wilson since last year.
Gianfranco Zola, the Chelsea legend and current assistant coach, alluded to the fact that there is ‘interest’ in the striker, but that ‘they are not the only ones and will face competition’ to try and get any deal over the line.
Wilson, 26, moved to Bournemouth in 2014 for a fee of £3.5million from Coventry and his current contract is due to expire in 2022. Chelsea are believed to be willing to pay up to £50million for him.
The Cherries enjoyed a successful start to the current campaign picking up seven points from nine in their opening three games, though they are currently in a run of poor form.
Since the beginning of 2018/19 Wilson has scored 10 goals in all competitions, nine coming in the league – including a brace against Fulham in October.
Wilson is still tipped to join Chelsea over the Hammers, in a move that pundit and ex-Coventry player Dion Dublin thinks will make Chelsea an even better side.
Dublin told the BBC: “Wilson has all the attributes to make them a better side going forward, he is a more out-and-out forward than what they have at present. He is definitely worth £50million in the current market.”
