Exclusive: Coventry’s Brandon Thomas-Asante on Premier League Radar as Hammers and Forest Hunt Goals

West Ham and Nottingham Forest are both pursuing Coventry City striker Brandon Thomas-Asante as they scramble for goals in their relegation battles, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Premier League pair have been put on red alert after the Sky Blues hitman finally returned from a frustrating hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for almost six weeks. 

Now fully fit again, Thomas-Asante is back on the radar of top-flight bosses who believe his pace, power and predatory instincts could be just the tonic to keep them in the big time.

And both the Hammers and Forest are working hard behind the scenes to try and get a deal done during the transfer window.

Thomas-Asante has been one of the Championship’s standout forwards this season, smashing in 10 goals in 19 league appearances before his frustrating injury, spearheading Coventry’s charge at the top end of the table. 

NIGHTMARE

His sharp movement and eye for a finish have made him a nightmare for defenders, as well as a dream target for clubs in trouble.

But Coventry are in no mood to play ball and Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard is determined to keep his main man.

Flying high at the summit of the Championship by six points ahead of second-placed Middlesbrough and gunning for a glorious return to the Premier League themselves, the Sky Blues hierarchy are digging in their heels. 

Insiders have told SportsBoom say it would take a “huge, mouth-watering bid” to even tempt them into talks.

Leeds United were previously linked with Thomas-Asante, but aren’t willing to meet Coventry’s hefty asking price

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is hunting a reliable goal threat after seeing his side misfire far too often this campaign, with Argentinean Joaquín Panichelli heavily-linked with a move to East London.

DESPERATE

Forest, meanwhile, are equally desperate. With goals proving painfully hard to come by at the City Ground, Forest boss Sean Dyche is also looking to strengthen his side’s firepower before the transfer window slams shut.

Thomas-Asante remains high on both clubs’ wish lists, but Forest are also keen on Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, as well as reports suggesting Wilson Isidor is a target.

Sources close to the player say he is flattered by the interest and aware that Premier League football represents the next step in his career, but he is also very happy at Coventry and focused on helping them achieve promotion.

That leaves West Ham and Forest with a tricky decision, gamble big now or risk missing out altogether if Coventry complete their march back to the top-flight.