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By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X) Unsurprisingly, West Ham’s opening bid for AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott has been rejected. Sky Sports News are reporting that the Hammers’ offer fell well below the Dutch club’s valuation of the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international, but importantly add that West Ham are likely to return with an improved bid. Whilst Claret & Hugh has yet to receive confirmation from our own sources regarding the precise figures involved, it is believed West Ham’s opening offer was in the region of £15-17million, with AZ looking for something closer to £24million. West Ham Can’t Waste Time The rejection itself isn’t particularly concerning. Opening bids get knocked back all the time and there was always a sizeable gap between West Ham’s first offer and AZ’s valuation. What matters now is speed… Nils Koppen or whoever is holding the purse strings must get cracking. With the Championship opener against Burnley taking place this weekend, it’s imperative the Hammers get new players signed, registered and, ideally, through a couple of training sessions before travelling to Turf Moor. Parrott has moved to the top of West Ham’s striker shortlist after the club rejected opportunities to sign other forwards, so this isn’t the time for prolonged negotiations over relatively small differences in valuation. | Troy Parrott | Key Stat | |---|---| | Eredivisie goals | 16 | | Shots per 90 | 3.07 | | Touches in penalty area per 90 | 5.02 | | Final-third recoveries per 90 | 1.38 | | Counter-pressing recoveries per 90 | 2.26 | Vardy Remains The Emergency Option Earlier reports from Sky suggested West Ham held genuine interest in veteran striker Jamie Vardy, although ExWHUEmployee subsequently indicated the former Leicester City forward is viewed more as a back-up option – essentially the emergency “break glass” solution to Nuno Espírito Santo’s striker problem. Hopefully that won’t be necessary. It is understood both Parrott and his representatives are open to a move to West Ham despite the club’s Championship status, where regular first-team football should be all but guaranteed. The first bid is in and it’s been rejected. No great drama there. But West Ham now need to get close to AZ’s valuation quickly because this isn’t a transfer saga they can afford to drag out.