- West Ham United closing in on Metz’s Alpha Touré after long-standing interest
- Touré and Metz were relegated from Ligue 1 in the past weeks
- Mateus Fernandes is expected to leave the Hammers at the end of the season
West Ham United’s summer transfer window recruitment plan will be significantly impacted by the following two games. The Hammers’ game against Newcastle United on May 17 will be crucial to the outcome before next week’s final day as they battle to preserve their Premier League status.
Relegation is more likely at this time, with Nuno Espírito Santo’s side two points behind Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy the final safety position. Thus, any business conducted will be contingent on whether West Ham are a Championship side or not, with their leverage in any negotiation weakening with relegation.
Given the club’s impending status, most transfer deals have been shelved. However, the long-standing interest in one Ligue 1 talent has reportedly accelerated.
West Ham close in on Alpha Touré transfer
According to Dsports journalist Ahmadou Bamba, an agreement between West Ham and Alpha Touré has been struck. Bamba states that the deal for the Metz midfielder could cost up to £6 million, with discussions with the French club aimed at reaching a productive conclusion by next week.
20-year-old Touré joined Metz in 2024 after being one of the latest in line to succeed from the AS Académie Génération Foot, which has produced the likes of Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr and fellow West Ham target Pape Moussa Fall.
Touré has yet to receive a cap from his native homeland, Senegal, having made four appearances at the under-17 level, but has made commendable progress at the club level, registering 31 matches this season at the time of writing. In his recent start against Marseille in April, Touré ranked first for successful dribbles (3/5) and duels won (9), highlighting his all-rounder profile at the base of midfield.
The Kaolack-born player is said to have been of interest to Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht, but the appeal of playing in England, even in the second division, could prove all too alluring.
West Ham plan for inevitable Mateus Fernandes exit
It will come as no surprise to the majority that Mateus Fernandes is expected to leave West Ham regardless of their end-of-season status. Fernandes, who joined from Southampton last summer for a deal in the region of £42m, has emerged as one of the league’s standout young talents.
The 21-year-old was shortlisted for the Premier League Young Player of the Season this week. In March, he earned his first call-up to the Portugal senior team before earning his first minutes against the USA. “Regarding Mateus Fernandes, what he’s doing now is incredible,” said Portugal manager Roberto Martínez during the spring break.
Fernandes’s rapid rise has seen a number of premier European teams, both domestically and abroad, express interest in the midfield metronome. The Athletic reported that Fernandes is expected to be sold this summer. Touré, who, like the aforementioned, can operate in a variety of midfield roles, could be the start of an expected succession plan.
