Everton, West Ham and Stoke in for Bundesliga hotshot
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Werder Bremen’s Max Kruse looks set to be a man in demand this summer, with no fewer than three Premier League clubs chasing his signature.
The 29-year-old hit a fine 15 goals in just 23 Bundesliga appearances last term, helping lift Werder from 16th to eighth.
He boasts plenty of experience, counting St Pauli, Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg among his previous employers.
And statistics of 57 goals and 50 assists from 189 Bundesliga games makes for impressive reading.
Kruse, who has made 14 appearances for Germany, can play in a number of roles too, including second-striker, centre-forward and even on the wing.
Throw in a valuation of just £6.8m by transfermarkt.co.uk, and you can quickly understand why Everton, West Ham United and Stoke City are all sniffing a bargain.
All three have varying reasons to buy a new striker this summer too.
The Toffees seem set to lose Romelu Lukaku, and even if they hold on to the Belgian, quality support up-front will be welcome at Goodison Park.
West Ham can’t rely on Andy Carroll forever, and the Hammers are desperate for a top-level out-and-out-striker.
And it’s a similar story at Stoke, with both Wilfried Bony and Saido Berahino failing to shine in Staffordshire, leaving 36-year-old Peter Crouch as Mark Hughes’ main striker.
The odds reflect the trio’s fairly even chances.
Everton lead the way at 2/1, but it’s just 7/2 Kruse moves to the London Stadium, while Stoke are in the mix at 4s.
Outsiders include Premier League returnees Newcastle United at 8/1, Crystal Palace at 10s and 12/1 shots West Brom.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
