West Ham sober up after Jhon Duran snub and launch £25m bid for Euro star. West Ham are moving on quickly from their latest failed attempts to sign Jhon Duran as an official bid is launched for a top Euro star. The Hammers are desperately on the hunt for signings with a new striker a top priority.
There has been a lack of progress for West Ham in the January transfer window so far. That has been attributed to the fact that West Ham have not only changed managers, but have been waiting for the arrival of recruitment guru Kyle Macauley from Chelsea.
A deal was agreed between the Hammers and Blues for Macauley to be reunited with Graham Potter at the London Stadium. The pair have worked together at all of Potter’s previous clubs.
Journalist Matt Law revealed the new Hammers boss wanted to hold off on doing any January deals until Macauley arrived.
The important deal was sealed yesterday and will be announced this week. It seems he is already making his presence felt.
Because West Ham have sobered up after their Jhon Duran snub by launching a £25m bid for a Euro star.
David Sullivan is currently heading up transfers again at West Ham.
The majority owner tried again for Duran last night, going to Villa with a club record £57m bid.
It was rejected and West Ham have now said ‘they must accept defeat and move on’. It seems they’ve certainly done that.
Because a forward target who captured the imagination of West Ham fans most during the summer is back on the club’s radar.
Baris Alper Yilmaz reportedly held informal talks with the Hammers over the summer. Hammers launch £25m bid for Euro star Yilmaz
In the end, though, the Turkish forward – one of the best players at last summer’s Euros – remained with Galatasaray.
Versatile Yilmaz was undoubtedly one of the standout stars of Euro 2024 as he shone for Turkey.
The 24-year-old set the tempo for the young, vibrant Turkey side with his relentless running and pressing up front. Yilmaz chased lost causes, harried defenders, showed great pace and ability on the ball and most importantly of all a superb attitude to win.
Ajansspor reported in the summer that Yilmaz flew to London for informal West Ham talks and he was pictured enjoying the sights.
Yilmaz move – now you’re talking West Ham
Now the Hammers have reignited their interest by making an official £25m bid to Gala, according to Hurriyet.
The report states West Ham have offered £20m plus £5m in add-ons to bring Yilmaz to east London.
The bid for Yilmaz, who can play across the front line and even at left and right full-back, is said to have been rebuffed.
Gala are reportedly open to selling Yilmaz in the summer. So it may take a bigger offer to lure him away. West Ham clearly have the money, though, if they were willing to go as high as £57m for Duran.
Now the Irons are weighing up whether to go back in with a second, improved bid.
This is much more like it from West Ham. Tim Steidten pledged to rebuild the Hammers around exciting, young, dynamic, versatile stars.
But he failed to make good on that promise, instead turning the Premier League’s second oldest squad into the oldest. .As a result Steidten has been demoted from transfer decision-making.
It seems those pulling the strings now are looking to make good on the promises of Steidten.
Yilmaz can play up front, on the left or right and in both full-back roles.
So he will be worth any premium West Ham have to pay on top of the original £25m bid. If this is the kind of player the Irons will be targeting under Potter and Macauley then the future could be very bright indeed.
