---
title: "Report: West Ham dealt blow as Chelsea pursue Mohamed Simakan"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/01/01/report-west-ham-dealt-blow-as-chelsea-pursue-mohamed-simakan/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-01-01T14:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-01T14:00:00Z"
---

# Report: West Ham dealt blow as Chelsea pursue Mohamed Simakan

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/?p=57518) were dealt an early 2021 blow as London rivals[Chelsea](https://readchelsea.com/)were touted as potential suitors for Hammers target [Mohamed Simakan](https://readwestham.com/2020/10/22/west-ham-january-links-options-assessed/) according to French outlet [Le 10 Sport](https://le10sport.com/football/mercato/exclu-mercato-nice-chelsea-prend-la-temperature-pour-simakan-strasbourg-531573).

David Moyes was[reportedly keen to bring the 20-year-old](https://www.footballinsider247.com/simakan-to-west-ham-major-development-after-euro-club-talks-open-exclusive/) Strasbourg centre-back to the London Stadium in the summer but could now face competition for his signature.

The report claims Frank Lampard’s side have made contact with the Ligue 1 side about a potential[£13.5 million deal](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mohamed-simakan/marktwertverlauf/spieler/666234) for the talented French youngster.

Moyes was scrambling to find [defensive reinforcements](https://talksport.com/football/760981/james-tarkowski-west-ham-third-final-bid-burnley-rejected/)during the summer and Simakan was one of the many names linked with an east London arrival.

The Scottish manager did eventually land [Craig Dawson on a season-long loan](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/october/12-october/west-ham-united-add-experienced-defender-craig-dawson) deal, although only last week did the Watford man make his [Premier League bow](https://www.90min.com/posts/craig-dawson-silences-doubters-with-solid-west-ham-debut-opinion)for the Irons.

Simakan has been outstanding this season for Strasbourg and as such has been an[ever-present domestically](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mohamed-simakan/leistungsdaten/spieler/666234)– averaging [6.99 with Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/mohamed-simakan/945063) as well as averaging 1.8 tackles per match ([Who Scored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/372855/History/Mohamed-Simakan)).

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Plucking the pick of the talent from the[cash-strapped French league](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/15/sports/soccer/LFP-mediapro-telefoot-ligue-1.html#:~:text=the%20main%20story-,French%20Soccer%20Faces%20Financial%20Crisis%20After%20Record%20TV%20Deal%20Collapses,the%20January%20transfer%20window%20nears.&text=The%20record%2Dsetting%20television%20deal,too%20good%20to%20be%20true.) at the moment is a wise play indeed, unfortunately, a situation both West Ham and Chelsea are looking to exploit.

One advantage the Hammers hold over their cross-city rivals is the lure of almost immediate first-team action, a facet [Simakan has already been exposed to](https://www.footballcritic.com/mohamed-simakan/profile/217194)and may be keen not to relinquish.

Although Fabian Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna have [performed admirably](https://www.whoscored.com/PlayerComparison)this season, there is definitely scope for the French youngster to force his way in.