Almost flying under the radar yesterday came a further report that a [young striker](https://www.claretandhugh.info/french-outlet-is-adamant-west-ham-talks-with-young-striker-progressing-well/) who has been much scouted by the Hammers is about to leave his club in the French Ligue 1. With all of the media attention focussed on the _‘Mads Hermansen or John Victor_‘ saga, you’d be forgiven for having missed Thursday evenings’ update which came with an intriguing development.
Apparently having been scouted after having been identified by West Ham’s head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay, FC Metz’ young striker **Idrissa Gueye** would be an absolute steal if West Ham could bring it off under the noses of some pretty impressive admirers of the young Senegalese forward.
Having reported a couple of days ago that ‘_talks were going well_‘ between West Ham and the player, it now seems that there’s an acceptance from Gueye’s present club that they’re going to lose him.
According to _[francebleu.fr](https://www.francebleu.fr/sports/football/fc-metz-bouba-et-fisch-s-eclatent-deja-chez-les-grenats-6482904)_,
“_The club …..is preparing for the departure of striker Idrissa Gueye_“.. Feeding further speculation that West Ham’s interest is live and talks are heading towards an agreement for the €15 million ‘steal’ deal which would bring the teenager to London.
Compared with the negotiating strategy involving no less than _five goalkeeping targets_ linked in the last couple of days with the Irons, keeping their cards close to their chest over talks with Metz would be a welcome alternate strategy.
Whatever does the deal, frankly: Hammers fans will have to guard against false optimism as we’ve all been led into ‘believing’ too often before only to have hopes dashed. Whilst the stories continue to be published in some pretty credible places, though, there’s certainly cause for hope.