West Ham may have received a welcome boost in the hunt for a new striker, with Leeds United potentially stepping out of the race for Lucas Stassin.
The 20-year-old AS Saint-Étienne forward was recently named Young Player of the Season in France and is seen as one of the more exciting names linked with the Hammers this summer.
But, as ever, quality attracts competition—Brentford, Fulham, and Leeds have all reportedly shown interest in the talented youngster.
However, Leeds might have just turned their attention elsewhere. The Yorkshire club have confirmed the signing of German international Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer from Wolfsburg. The 26-year-old forward becomes their first signing of the summer and will officially join on July 1, as they gear up for Premier League football next season.
While it’s no guarantee that Leeds are out of the Stassin race entirely, the Nmecha signing could lessen their urgency—potentially giving us a clearer path to Stassin.
The young striker is one of the few players where talks between West Ham and the selling club have been confirmed. But with Leeds United seemingly linked with every Hammers target mentioned, it will hopefully help that they’re turning their attentions elsewhere.
And in another case of six degree’s of separation, The Whites are reportedly eying their former captain and West Ham loanee Kalvin Phillips.
The Yorkshire club are also believed to be close to signing Udinese’s Jaka Bijol, but Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United could be ready to steal the defender from under their noses.