There has been a major West Ham striker twist as one of Julen Lopetegui’s top targets snubs rival suitors but there’s a problem.
West Ham are targeting another five signings in the summer transfer window.
The next on the agenda, though, is a striker.
Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten have brought in attacker Luis Guilherme, back-up goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and defender Max Kilman so far.
West Ham will try to sign another central defender, at least one versatile full-back, a left-sided attacker, a central midfielder and a striker as part of the summer overhaul.
There are multiple names on the striker target shortlist.
They include Jhon Duran, Chelsea’s Armando Broja, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Youssef En-Nesyri – among others.
Four live names on West Ham striker shortlist
Much of the talk lately has focused on a Hammers move for wantaway Villa star Duran.
But En-Nesyri was the striker on a list of four targets Lopetegui wanted West Ham to try and sign when he was being interviewed for the job.
The Moroccan has twice snubbed moves to West Ham in recent seasons.
With Lopetegui at the helm, though, there was new confidence the Hammers could make it third time lucky.
Especially as Sevilla are keen to sell amid financial difficulties and have put a relatively cheap £17m price tag on his head.
Journalist Graeme Bailey exclusively told Hammers News that En-Nesyri is growing impatient waiting for West Ham to make their move.
“I would not rule out Broja to be honest, same with Calvert-Lewin and En-Nesyri, although he is getting annoyed about lack of progress and could go elsewhere,” Bailey told Hammers News.
West Ham target snubs rival suitors but there’s a problem
West Ham’s big problem regarding En-Nesyri has been that Jose Mourinho made a move for him having taken over at Fenerbahce.
It seemed Mourinho’s pull was going to put paid to any hopes Lopetegui had of a reunion with the 27-year-old.
Now there’s been a major striker twist as the West Ham target snubs rival suitors but there’s a problem.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, En-Nesyri has snubbed Mourinho and Fenerbahce.
As a result West Ham still have the chance to lure the fleet-footed striker to the London Stadium.
But the Hammers will need to be quick and decisive.
Because the report states it is now likely En-Nesyri will be lured to Saudi Arabia instead.
Hammers forced into quick decision on En-Nesyri
Turkish outlet Fanatik has reiterated those claims but state that while En-Nesyri has agreed in principle to a move to Al-Qadsiah on a big salary – no official deal has been reached between the club and Sevilla.
So there is still a glimmer of hope for West Ham if they do want to sign En-Nesyri.
There is some bad news in the reports for the Hammers, though.
Because another reported target, Broja, is now said to be wanted by Mourinho at Fene after the En-Nesyri snub.
It seems we may not have heard the last of the En-Nesyri saga just yet.
Yesterday a source close to West Ham majority owner David Sullivan revealed the club will not be able to find out whether a deal can be done for Villa’s Duran until next week.
Given this development, it seems Steidten and Lopetegui face a difficult situation in making a final call on En-Nesyri, possibly this weekend.
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