Whilst Southampton remain intransigent over the sale of their asset Mateus Fernandes, demanding – apparently – closer to £50 million for the talented u21 Portugese international, West Ham are, understandably, unlikely to conclude a deal. Fifty million is a ludicrous price and as well we know, Chairman David Sullivan loves a bargain. So in this instance, the Hammers will most likely need to revisit their ‘Plan B’
Or is that ‘Plan C’? West Ham have been scouting and watching and ‘linked’ with so many young midfielders this summer it gets challenging keeping the club’s priorities clear.
Reportedly Leicester wanted to discuss a double deal for their young midfielder whilst the Hammers were negotiating for Mads Hermansen- so the way is 100% open for a Hammers’ bid.
But they’d better do it fast as Crystal Palace and Spurs reportedly have entered the race for Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss. Linked with West Ham on, and off throughout the summer, priced at under £25 million, he is a much more ‘gettable’ attacking midfielder -but it isn’t just the Irons who are admirers.
Tottenham site spurs-web.com confirms that: “Competition intensifying for Tottenham target Bilal El Khannouss..Crystal Palace, West Ham, Bayer Leverkusen, and Saudi side Al-Ahli have the Moroccan international on their radar.”
El Khannouss has a £22.5 million relegation release clause so would be a very straightforward deal. Purely upto Graham Potter as to whether he feels the midfielder is strong enough for the rigours of the Premier League – or whether he looks overseas for one of his other targets on the list.
Act fast? Well thats us out of the running then!