Wednesdsay afternoon brought the bombshell news that West Ham United may be progressing in their attempts to bring a new centre-forward to the Premier League.
And while the success of this summer’s recruitment drive can only be judged later down the line when there is enough evidence to sift through, what cannot be disputed is that the Hammers have made a real fist of re-shaping Graham Potter’s squad.
After Kyle Walker-Peters and El Hadji Malick Diouf arrived – two full-backs bringing real technical quality and attacking verve – West Ham added Callum Wilson to their ranks as a back-up centre-forward with genuine Premier League pedigree.
Whether John Victor or Mads Hermansen prove to be substantial upgrades on the error-prone Alphonse Areola remains to be seen. But, as Hammers legend Tony Cottee pleads for a goalkeeper signing, the London Stadium bosses seem happy to oblige with not one but two.
Now, out of France and out of the blue, West Ham United also appear to have moved into pole position for one of the most exciting young strikers on the market; Metz’s Senegalese sensation Idrissa Gueye.
Metz director Frederic Arpinon admits West Ham United target Idrissa Gueye could be sold
Foot Mercato reported on Wednesday that West Ham are ‘desperate’ to land Idrissa Gueye from under the noses of esteemed talent-spotters Borussia Dortmund. Talks with Metz are reportedly ‘progressing well’.
Not only that, the Hammers appear to be lining up an official offer for a striker valued in the region of £13 million.
Frederic Arpinon, Metz’s sporting director, cannot help but be reminded of his one-time Istres starlet when watching the 6ft 2ins, power-packed but technically-gifted Gueye in action.
There are shades of a young Olivier Giroud, he argues.
Now, in quotes reported by Republicain Lorrain and France Bleu on Thursday, Arpinon hinted that the much-coveted 18-year-old hitman is indeed edging towards a departure from the Stade Saint Symphorien.
“[We have to wait] to see what will happen with the players who could leave us,” Arpinon said during the presentation of Wolves loanee Boubacar Traore. “It will depend on a lot of things; Departures, movement…
“Idrissa is in high demand, of course. We have to anticipate [what might happen].
“The club is still looking to replace Matthieu Udol, who left for Lens, and is preparing for the departure of striker Idrissa Gueye.”
Gueye likened to Olivier Giroud and could follow Sadio Mane to the Premier League
Gueye, a teammate of Diouf’s at international level, burst onto the scene with six goals in 13 league starts for Metz last season. The teenager only arrived in France in January from Generation Foot in his homeland, but played a massive role as Les Grenats sealed promotion back to Ligue 1.
Gueye now looks destined to become the latest fresh-faced talent to leave Metz for decent money.
Should West Ham get their man – he has also been linked with Manchester United – Gueye will follow in the footsteps of Liverpool, Southampton and Senegal legend Sadio Mane.
West Ham’s own Maxwel Cornet also made his name at Metz, as did Miralem Pjanic, Ismaila Sarr, Georges Mikautadze, Pape Matar Sarr, Franck Ribery, Diafra Sakho and Louis Saha.
“I had the chance, a long time ago, to meet Olivier Giroud,” Arpinon said after Gueye touched down in France seven months ago. “And [Gueye] reminds me a little of him. I hope for him that he will have the same trajectory.
“He has all the qualities of the modern striker. He has the technique, plays with both feet and has a very good header.”
It was reported by Alan Nixon last month that head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay instructed West Ham to scout Idrissa Gueye during a friendly between Metz and RC Lens. The 2023 Senegalese League champion, who also scored a hat-trick during the Under-17 World Cup for his country, started in that 2-1 defeat to Lens at the end of July.
Now, it appears that West Ham are slamming their foot firmly onto the accelerator.
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