As targets are identified, clearly West Ham face challenges for the top tier of international football and risk being priced out of the market for some of the best young talent. Claret and Hugh’s recent article highlighting Ardon Jashari as a summer midfield target illustrate the problem. Reports today have suggested there will be a bit of a bun-fight for the young international with several ‘top tier’ clubs reported as waiting in the wings.
Telegrafi.com sets out the problem succinctly:
“However, the chances of the Londoners reaching an agreement appear limited. Club Brugge, where Jashari currently plays, are reportedly demanding a record fee of around €40m – a sum that is expected to be beyond West Ham’s financial means. Jashari’s high form, especially in the Champions League, has significantly increased his market value and attracted the attention of several European giants such as Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, who are already in close contact with his representatives.”
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Whether that is because the Hammers are aiming to punch above their weight by seeking to recruit ‘top level’ players with Champions League experience like Jashari- who knows.
The Irons may be better advised, as suggested today, to switch to Jashari’s club Brugge team-mate Raphael Onyedika, another reported Hammers’ target but available at a much more West Ham like price of some €20 million*.*
All of the ‘ transfer’ reports are for younger, up and coming talent as the recruitment strategy takes shape. Interest in picking up thirty-something ‘end of career journeymen’ such as (main pic) N’Golo Kante last summer- thankfully seems to be a thing of the past.
However, planning, and ‘doing’ are two different things and until cash is incoming from early sales, none of the scouting, chasing or bidding will yield results. The names, the reports and the plans are refreshing enough for now: Going to be an interesting summer.