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West Ham are interested in Irish striker Troy Parrott from AZ Alkmaar. The 24-year-old has been on the Irons’ radar for a while, but reports suggest that they are set to step up their pursuit of the former Spurs and Millwall man. Parrott, who recently featured in AZ’s Dutch Super Cup victory over PSV, has been phenomenal since his move to the Netherlands in 2024. The Dubliner has scored 30 goals in 58 league games for the team the Irons beat in the 2023 UEFA Conference League semi-final, and he has also starred for his country. Parrott played a huge role in getting Ireland to the World Cup qualification play-offs earlier this year, scoring a brace against Portugal and a hat-trick against Hungary. Although Ireland ultimately failed to qualify for the World Cup, Parrott provided the country with as much hope as they’ve had in a decade. The 24-year-old is a very technically skilled striker and has been scoring for fun recently – something that a certain Hammers striker can’t say for himself. According to some reports, the Irons are ready to test the waters with an £18 million bid for the Irishman, who has also attracted interest from Real Betis and Ajax. Parrott is reportedly open to a return to England, though whether he would be content to play Championship football remains to be seen. However, if West Ham manage to get a deal over the line, it would be a major coup, as the 24-year-old is more than good enough to play for a Premier League side. Something that has stood out from West Ham’s pre-season has been their impotence in attack. Goals came from Max Kilman, Dinos Mavropanos, James Ward-Prowse and a flurry of academy players – but Taty Castellanos was the only senior attacker to score for the Irons in pre-season, as Nuno Espírito Santo’s side generally looked uninspired in the final third. Parrott would bring major confidence to the Irons’ frontline. His goalscoring record, albeit in the Eredivisie, is outstanding, and his game has matured really nicely on the international stage as well. Following the sales of Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville and Freddie Potts, West Ham must start investing in talent, and a move for Troy Parrott would certainly be the way to go.