West Ham United have seen potential forward targets seal moves to a whole host of rival Premier League clubs this summer, from Aston Villa to Chelsea, Everton and now seemingly AFC Bournemouth.
Hammers News can confirm that both head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay and head coach Graham Potter are big fans of Evan Guessand. The mobile, versatile former Nice attacker who sealed a £35 million move to Villa Park a few days ago.
West Ham United reportedly added Liam Delap and Thierno Barry to their striker shortage at the beginning of the window, meanwhile.
Flash forward to mid-August, and Delap is now wearing the number nine jersey for Chelsea while the Hammers came up against Barry in Chicago following his £27 million switch from Villarreal to Everton.
Now, it appears that a Bundesliga champion is set to join Bournemouth as the Cherries start to spend some of the funds they brought in via the mega-money departure of Ilya Zabaryni to Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports emerged via one of the most respected sources in French football late last month that West Ham had joined the race for Amine Adli of Bayer Leverkusen.
France-born but a teammate of Nayef Aguerd’s in the Moroccan national team, Adli was allegedly desperate for a move to the Premier League.
Thanks to Bournemouth, his wish is about to come true.
Amine Adli celebrates during Bayer 04 Leverkusen v VfL Bochum 1848 - Bundesliga
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
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West Ham United-linked Amine Adli appears set for AFC Bournemouth
According to Foot Mercato, Adli has agreed terms with Andoni Iraola’s side. Negotiations are at an ‘advanced stage’ between the two clubs as well.
Bournemouth certainly have the funds required to meet Bayer Leverkusen’s £23 million price-tag.
So, with Guessand, Delap, Barry and more already out of reach, West Ham now look destined to miss out on a ‘highly technical, creative [forward with] superb dribbling skills and an exceptional ability to manoeuvre in small spaces’.
Amine Adli:
– versatile & mobile player capable of playing anywhere along the front line
– electric pace & acceleration
– highly technical & creative
– superb dribbling skills
– great ball control & first touch
– exceptional ability to maneuver in small spaces
Lovely player. pic.twitter.com/ELBZAQa5am
— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) June 14, 2021
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This, though, is not exactly a window-ruining blow for the London Stadium outfit. Far from it.
While 25-year-old Adli is arguably at his best as a second-striker or when drifting in from the left, Graham Potter’s 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-1-1 system does not really leave an obvious role for a footballer of this ilk.
Potter’s plan seems to revolve around using Jarrod Bowen off Niclas Fullkrug, with Lucas Paqueta also pushing up.
With a dynamic central midfielder and potentially another centre-back required – West Ham had a bid rejected for Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes on Tuesday – any further attacking signings this summer are likely to involve more traditional number nines than roving, across-the-frontline attackers like Adli or Guessand.
AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa FC - Premier League
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Reports claim West Ham are closing in on Metz striker Idrissa Gueye
Interestingly, the same publication who reported Adli’s impending switch to Bournemouth broke the news last week about Senegal sensation Idrissa Gueye.
West Ham have reportedly held talks with FC Metz. ‘Desperate’ as they supposedly are to beat Borussia Dortmund and co to the teenager’s £13 million-rated signature.
Hammers News can confirm that Macaulay instructed West Ham to scout Gueye during a pre-season clash with RC Lens, while Metz director Frederic Arpinon provided reason for optimism on Friday.
“According to sources close to the deal, the London club has reached an agreement in principle with the player regarding the personal terms of his contract,” Senegalese publication Wiw Sport say regarding an 18-year-old striker who scored six goals in 13 starts from January to June as Metz secured promotion.
“Negotiations between West Ham and FC Metz are now reportedly in the final stages, with the two clubs finalising the final details of the transfer.”