West Ham United and Celtic are reportedly locked in a transfer tussle for a seriously talented young player.
The January transfer window is open for business and West Ham and Celtic are both thought to be extremely active.
Nuno Espirito Santo has already signed two players for the Hammers this month but he quite clearly wants more reinforcements.
While West Ham have made some big statement signings in the January window by bringing in two strikers, it’s fair to argue that Nuno needs to sign at least one more top-class winger and an elite centre-back.
How do you FEEL about West Ham signing Keiber Lamadrid?
Is this the sort of low-cost risk the Hammers need to be chasing?
The Hammers boss has someone specific on his radar.
However, the problem for Nuno is that Celtic are said to be chasing his signature as well…
West Ham battle Celtic to sign ‘crazy talent’ who could replace Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen will hopefully remain at the London Stadium for many more years still to come.
However, he is 29 now and it’s fair to suggest that he probably only has a couple more years left at his absolute peak.
It has also been claimed that Bowen could leave West Ham if they are relegated down to the Championship this season.
So it goes without saying that West Ham bringing in a long-term replacement for Bowen while he’s still at the club would make perfect sense.
That’s exactly what the Hammers are trying to do, allegedly.
According to a report from Colombian football journalist Pipe Sierra, West Ham and Celtic are battling it out to sign Yaser Asprilla from Girona in the January window.
The 22-year-old has been compared to Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham by Watford FC’s former sporting director Gianluca Nani, as quoted via Forbes.
Nani said: “The new Bellingham? I’d say Asprilla. He isn’t as physical as Bellingham but he reads the game very well and his first touch is exceptional.”
Meanwhile, the Football Talent Factory describe Aprilla as a ‘crazy talent’.
Yaser Asprilla would be a hugely exciting signing for West Ham
The 22-year-old spent time with Watford before joining Girona in the summer of 2024.
He has bagged 17 goals and 15 assists in 176 career games so far (Transfermarkt) but those figures do not do his undeniable talent justice.
A left-footed right winger by trade, Asprilla can also play out wide on the left or in the number 10 role.
The Colombian possesses incredible skill and blistering pace.
The only thing he needs to do now is refine his attacking play in order to become more productive inside the final third.
Hopefully West Ham are able to beat Celtic to Yaser Asprilla’s signature in the current January transfer window.
He is a sensational talent who could be set to explode on the world scene very soon.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
