West Ham striker transfer saga for Julen Lopetegui’s prime target is finally over. West Ham striker transfer saga for Julen Lopetegui’s prime target is finally over with an announcement due imminently.
West Ham are currently putting all their energy into trying to sign a new striker. The Hammers have had their full focus on bringing in a forward ever since signing Max Kilman two weeks ago.
There have been talks with Aston Villa over a deal for Jhon Duran.
West Ham have also been linked with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Callum Wilson and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Back at the start of May, Hammers News exclusively revealed Moroccan striker En-Nesyri was on a list of targets Julen Lopetegui handed to David Sullivan when being interviewed for the West Ham job. En-Nesyri played some of the best football of his career under the new Hammers head coach when they were at Sevilla together.
Lopetegui targeted reunion at West Ham
The pair also got on very well, it has been claimed. The Moroccan has twice snubbed moves to West Ham in recent seasons. With Lopetegui at the London Stadium, there was new confidence West Ham would be able to make it third time lucky for the 27-year-old.
Particularly as Sevilla want to sell amid financial difficulties and made him available for a bargain £17m fee as he entered the last year of his contract.
Journalist Graeme Bailey recently revealed to Hammers News that En-Nesyri was ‘growing impatient waiting for West Ham to make their move’.
Well now the West Ham striker transfer saga for Lopetegui’s prime target is finally over.
Last week it was claimed En-Nesyri had snubbed Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce as well as Saudi clubs as he waited for the Hammers to bid for him.
Earlier today Marca reported that Fenerbahce president Ali Koç put pressure on En-Nesyri to sign within 48 hours.
“We really wanted En-Nesyri, we still do, but we are running out of patience. I have given Mario Branco (Fenerbahce’s sporting director) 48 hours. If it happens, it happened; if it doesn’t happen, we will go for options B, C, D or E ,” he said.
Whether West Ham have moved on to other targets or hesitated too long is not known.
All paths lead to Duran as En-Nesyri joins Fenerbahce
But what is now known is that En-Nesyri won’t be joining the Hammers. Because in breaking news on Sunday evening the fleet-footed forward is set to sign for Fenerbahce imminently for even less than West Ham were reportedly quoted – a bargain £13.5m.
“Fenerbahce completed the transfer of En-Nesyri from Sevilla for a fee around €16m (£13.5m),” Topskills Sports UK claims in an exclusive.
“All Documents are exchanged between the two clubs. An official announcement will be made once the paperwork is completed with the player’s relocation plans.” an official announcement will be made once the paperwork is completed with the player’s relocation
It seems the Hammers have come to their senses over reported moves for Calvert-Lewin and Wilson.
West Ham will not be signing the Everton striker due to his high fee, wage demands and injury record.
And Wilson, 33 next season, has picked up yet another injury which will see him out for the start of the season.
All roads now seem to point to Duran for West Ham. Yesterday it was claimed Napoli have approached Villa about a potential deal for Duran. But the Italians were reportedly told the Colombian will be signing for West Ham.
With previous top target En-Nesyri now out of the question, let’s hope that claim proves accurate.
