Continuing the theme of young, up and coming talent, West Ham look to build on the 99% completed capture of El Hadji Malick Diouff from Slava Prague this week. The young Senegalese international said a tearful farewell to his home crowd yesterday and heads to London Stadium for his medical in the next day or so.
From most of the reports now linking the Hammers to new talent, it is refreshing to see the emphasis on youth which has been lacking in recent seasons. From both an economics and a results viewpoint, it makes more sense than bringing in players nearing thirty which have no sell-on value in three seasons’ time. If the Hammers are to avoid being stuck in this predicament with ageing, expensive, unsellable players stuck on their books, “youth” is the way to go.
Latest to be under the West Ham microscope, accoring to French news outlet L’equipe, is Monaco and Sunderland target 21 year-old Moroccan play maker Bilal El Khannouss, relegated with Leicester city and desperate for an escape from the Championship.
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Labelled the ‘Moroccan wonderkid’ by leicestercity.news last season, the young man is already fast approaching £25 million and is being studied by the Hammers, according to L’Equipe:
“Under contract until 2028 with Leicester City, the Moroccan international (22 selections) does not want to play in the Championship (English D 2). Sunderland seems to be a step ahead, but some clubs have also taken information, including Monaco (in case of departure of an offensive player) and West Ham.”
It is time for El Khannouss to try and make the jump to the Premier League at a West Ham affordable price, rather than in another two years when he’ll be a top midfielder worth twice what the Hammers can afford.