West Ham United are showing interest in a late summer swoop for Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor, according to The Guardian.
The Hammers are on the lookout for reinforcements to Graham Potter’s midfield options and have reportedly earmarked Taylor as a potential target in their ongoing search.
The London Stadium side are expected to step up their hunt for a new midfielder after reaching an agreement to loan Edson Alvarez to Fenerbahce.
The Mexico international’s departure gives West Ham extra funds to bring in new players, as Alvarez was one of the best-paid players at the club, reportedly earning wages of £115,000 a week.
West Ham Looking at Kenneth Taylor
Kenneth Taylor in action for Ajax
According to The Guardian, Potter is aiming to bring in two midfielders to his squad before the deadline and wants to add both energy and creativity to his options in the middle of the park.
The former Chelsea and Brighton tactician is looking to sign a midfielder who could sit deep and control play and another to operate in an advanced role.
Potter is believed to have identified Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes as his ideal No. 8, but West Ham are unwilling to meet the Saints’ asking price of £50m.
Taylor is believed to be seen as an alternative to Fernandes, alongside Werder Bremen’s Romano Schmidt and Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber.
The 23-year-old, who was once compared to former Germany international Toni Kroos for his style of play, has been a key player for Ajax over the past three seasons.
He has amassed 167 appearances for the Eredivisie giants, scoring 34 goals and providing 23 assists, and helped Ajax qualify for the Champions League last term after a two-year absence.
West Ham are now in advanced talks to sign Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa after submitting a bid worth €20m (£17m) for the 21-year-old.
According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano, negotiations are advancing between clubs for the France U21 international’s arrival, with West Ham pushing to make Magassa their sixth signing of the summer.
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