West Ham are believed to be lining up a huge bid to secure the services of Lyon forward Nabil Fekir this summer.
It is reported that the Hammers, well-known to be in the market for a big money striker this summer, have identified the French international attacker as a possible arrival at the Olympic Stadium.
The 22-year-old burst onto the scene for Lyon during the 2014/15 season where he established himself as a first-team regular, scoring 13 goals and recording 12 assists in 34 league appearances which earned him the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award. He was also rewarded with his international debut for France, who he has appeared for on five occasions, scoring once.
Fekir started the 2015/16 season in equally impressive form, netting four goals in the opening four games on the Ligue 1 season, however his season was all-but ended there after he tore his ACL in September. He returned to action in April making a handful of appearances before the end of the season, but was far from his best. However, he is expected to be back at 100% for the start of next season.
West Ham have seen a huge £31m bid turned down for Fekir’s strike partner at Lyon, Alexandre Lacazette, already this summer but still hold interest in the forward and may return with an improved bid.
Slaven Bilic is looking to sign at least two new strikers this summer as he looks to bolster his squad ahead of a busier campaign next year as the Hammers hope to progress further in the UEFA Europa League than they did a year ago.
This’ll likely mean that one or two of their current forwards will be shown the door. On-loan Nigerian international Emmanuel Emenike has already returned to Fenerbahce after the club decided not to take up his permanent option in his loan contract.
Following his strong end to this past campaign, Andy Carroll’s place in the squad is secured for the upcoming season – not that there would be many suitors for the oft-injured club record-signing and one of their highest earners.
By process of elimination, the finger is pointing in the direction of Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia. The two combined excellently at the start of the 2014/15 campaign, but neither, especially Valencia, have proven to be reliable goalscorers at this level.
The Ecuadorian was signed for £12m from Pachuca following an impressive World Cup campaign, but has only found the net 10 times in 61 appearances for the Hammers, and only four times in the league last season. There is reported interest from China and Valencia, who is said to be unhappy with his contract situation, could force a move away.
Sakho on the other-hand was a fan-favourite this time last season after scoring 12 goals in his debut season in the Premier League following his £4.5m move from FC Metz.
However, having promised 20 goals this season, Sakho failed to live up to his own hype. Scoring just five league goals this past season in and injury-hit campaign, Sakho’s affinity with the fans has weakened somewhat.
This has not been helped with his off the field issues. Several run-ins with the law in the last two years have meant he’s missed a handful of games, not to mention his training ground bust-up with Slaven Bilic after finding out he was dropped for the visit of Arsenal in April, he pulled himself out of the match in protest. Carroll went on to bag a hat-trick in his absence.
Still, there is a strong belief amongst West Ham fans that, when fit and in the right mental shape, Diafra Sakho remains the club’s most effective goalscorer.
It seems Sam Allardyce echoes that sentiment. The former Hammers boss, who signed Sakho in the summer of 2014, is keen to bring the Senegalese striker to Sunderland this summer, and has reportedly bid £11m to do so.
David Gold and David Sullivan have both maintained that no first-team squad members will be sold until their replacements are already through the doors. So while West Ham remain in the hunt for a new striker, not until one is signed will the club consider any offers for Diafra Sakho.
Whether Nabil Fekir is the striker through the door remains to be seen. Rated as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers, Fekir can also play as an attacking midfielder and as a wide forward, providing excellent versatility for the team.
