West Ham moved for young Lyon ace Rayan Cherki before the transfer deadline and he’s just ripped it up for France U21s.
With Tim Steidten on board West Ham have taken a different approach to recruitment.
The Hammers signed the experienced James Ward-Prowse, a target very much driven by David Moyes.
But the club’s other business and targets were very much a shift towards younger, talented players from across the globe.
West Ham’s exciting capture of 23-year-old Ajax star Mohammed Kudus being exhibit A in that respect.
Not all moves came off of course. And if West Ham signed every player they were linked to during the summer transfer window they’d have given Chelsea a run for their money.
West Ham moved for young Lyon ace Rayan Cherki before transfer deadline and he’s just ripped it up for France U21s
Ligue 1, the Dutch top flight and Bundesliga seemed to be a key focus for Steidten.
In the end there were no arrivals from the French league. But it wasn’t for the want of trying it seems.
Because West Ham moved for young Lyon ace Rayan Cherki before the transfer deadline and he’s just ripped it up for France U21s.
According to L’Équipe, West Ham wanted to sign the highly-rated 20-year-old attacker from troubled Lyon before the window closed last week.
But the French club made other controversial sales – such as Bradley Barcola to PSG – and decided to keep Cherki for another year.
New France U21s boss Henry building his team around star Hammers tried to sign
The report states West Ham and other interest Premier League clubs such as Newcastle, Aston Villa and – yes you guessed it – Chelsea will reignite their interest next summer.
It’s easy to see why the Hammers have identified Cherki as a talent.
He was the star of the show as he helped France Under 21s beat Denmark 4-1 in Thierry Henry’s first game in charge.
European football expert Julien Laurens raved about Cherki as he helped France to the victory. And he said Henry is already building the side around the man West Ham reportedly tried to sign.
“Thierry Henry’s France U21 are 2-0 up at half time,” Laurens said.
“Convincing performance so far, despite two big chances for Denmark.
“Rayan Cherki has been the star so far in a 4-3-1-2 formation built for him.”
Interestingly for West Ham fans, Elye Wahi – the striker they would have tried to sign from Montpellier before he joined Lens – scored a brace in the game.
Interest in Cherki, who can play on either wing, as an attacking midfielder or second striker, suggests West Ham were willing to sell one of Pablo Fornals, Maxwel Cornet or Said Benrahma.