West Ham United are reportedly on the verge of their first summer transfer with Senegalese star Alpha Toure set to sign next week.
According to African journalist Khadim Diakhaté, an agreement in principle has already been reached between West Ham and Metz to sign Alpha Toure for around £6m.
Hammers News understands the 20-year-old defensive midfielder is the latest gem to be identified by highly-rated West Ham scout Max Hahn.
West Ham would undoubtedly have spoken to Toure’s compatriot El Hadji Malick Diouf about his talent.
West Ham could seal Toure signing next week
Reporter Diakhaté claims West Ham will pay £6m for the young midfield ace and the move ‘could be finalised next week’.
Importantly, the move does not hinge on West Ham’s bid for survival.
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Because Toure is said to be willing to play for the Hammers even if they are relegated to the Championship.
The deal has actually been some time in the making. Hammers News reported on West Ham’s interest in Toure back in January.
The midfielder already has vital experience of helping his team get promoted back to the big time.
Toure was a key player as Metz were promoted back to Ligue 1 last season.
This season, the West Ham target has played 31 games for the club the Hammers beat in the Intertoto Cup final back in 1999.
The move comes amid intense speculation and an acceptance that West Ham will be selling Mateus Fernandes this summer.
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Man United, Real Madrid, Arsenal and PSG are all said to be interested.
Whether Toure is being seen as a potential replacement for Fernandes remains to be seen.
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But Toure’s style of play and the role he plays for Metz suggests he will be competing with Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa.
That in itself may suggest West Ham see Mohamadou Kante as the player they hope can step up to fill the Fernandes void.
Toure is an energetic and technically polished midfielder who combines athleticism with composure in possession.
Although he can operate as a box-to-box midfielder like Fernandes, Toure’s discipline to sit deeper and help control transitions makes him invaluable as the holding player in the heart of the pitch.
His biggest strengths are his ball carrying, ability to escape pressure and willingness to play forward quickly, traits that would suit the intensity and physical demands of the Premier League if West Ham can stay there.
Toure also brings mobility and aggression out of possession with a determined willingness to press his opponents.
He covers ground efficiently and has shown maturity in reading danger despite his tender years.
For West Ham, he has the potential to add much-needed energy and dynamism in midfield, particularly in games where the side have struggled to retain control or progress the ball through central areas under a succession of managers including Nuno Espirito Santo.
Toure fits the profile of a modern Premier League midfielder with scope to develop significantly under the right coaching structure while still offering immediate depth and athleticism to the squad.
Whether that will be under Nuno and in the top flight or second tier remains to be seen.
But Toure does not seem overly concerned about that if, as the report suggests, he is ready to sign next week while those factors remain uncertain.
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