West Ham want to beat Wolves to the signature of Nice forward Evann Guessand but they need to make a sale first, according to reports.
Vitor Pereira’s side are lining up a bid for the Ivorian international, who could cost between £20m and £25m.
However, the Daily Mail claim the Hammers also want to get involved and it is possible that the battle for Guessand “could hasten the exit of Mohammed Kudus.”
Most Read on Hammers Headlines
The Ghanaian international is the club’s most saleable asset but no team has so far matched his asking price.
What is the latest on Kudus’s future?
Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle are all thought to hold an interest in the 24-year-old.
Some, such as Chelsea, have made informal enquiries and discussed potential swap deals, while others have made tentative offers below Kudus‘s valuation.
It is believed that Graham Potter’s side would accept a bid below his £85m release clause. A fee of around £65m would reportedly be accepted. The money from Kudus’s could then be devoted to reshaping the squad.
What do West Ham fans need to know about Guessand?
The Ivorian was actually born in Ajaccio, France, before making his way up the ranks of Nice’s academy. He has spent a couple of spells out on loan at Swiss side Lausanne Sport and another French team FC Nantes.
Guessand only really became a regular starter for Nice at the beginning of the 2023/24 season. The forward made 14 league starts that campaign and he has continued on an upward trajectory since then.
Last season was the player’s best one to date, scoring 13 times and registering 10 assists in 42 appearances. He can be deployed on either wing as well as being used as a centre-forward.
In other news, West Ham are weighing up a move for a Liverpool attacking midfielder