West Ham in talks to sign FC Koln striker Anthony Modeste

By Kaveh Solhekol, Sky Sports News HQ

Anthony Modeste scored 25 goals in 32 appearances in the Bundesliga last term

West Ham are in talks to sign Anthony Modeste from Cologne, according to Sky sources.

The 29-year-old Frenchman scored 25 goals in 32 appearances in the Bundesliga last season and the Hammers are prepared to pay £20m for him.

Sky Sports News HQ understands that West Ham turned down the chance to sign Modeste for £6m last summer after he scored 15 goals in his first
season for Koln, who now want £30m.

Cedric Bakambu has 34 in 81 appearances in two years for Villarreal

He was set to join Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian for that amount this month but the move collapsed on Wednesday.

Sky sources understand West Ham have also contacted Villarreal about signing striker Cedric Bakambu, who is also of interest to Newcastle United.

DR Congo international Bakambu scored 11 goals in all competitions for Villarreal last season and has 34 in 81 appearances since joining the club in 2015 from Bursaspor.

Modeste is a former France U21 international but has never earned a senior cap for France.