West Ham United have been joined by Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas in pursuing Leicester City star Abdul Fatawu.
Reports at the start of the month suggested that the Ghanaian international was in the frame to replace the Manchester United-linked Crycensio Summerville as the Hammers eye an immediate return to the Premier League.
Turkish Exit Revealed
Now, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Fatawu is now subject to an offer from Besiktas, who are aiming to reclaim their place at the top of Turkish football, having last won the title five years ago.
The Istanbul club are in need of a new left-winger this summer after the loan of El Bilal Toure expired, with the Malian international heading back to parent club Atalanta.
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They have already struck a deal to sign Arsenal‘s Leandro Trossard, with the Premier League champions banking up to €20 million for the 31-year-old, who had just a year left on his deal at the Emirates.
A move for Fatawu would reunite him with a former Foxes teammate in Wilfred Ndidi, who moved to Besiktas last summer for an undisclosed fee after eight years at the King Power.
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West Ham are keen on keeping much of their squad intact to have a shot at the Championship title, and despite the £85 million sale of Mateus Fernandes, their relegation has left them prone to losing many more of their talents.
Fatawu has been the subject of a bid from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, and despite reports that they would table a new offer, no news has emerged since Ghana exited the World Cup at the Round of 32 stage.
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West Ham Stuck In Limbo
With no advancements towards Crycensio Summerville’s exit, West Ham United are now in an awkward position when it comes to pursuing Abdul Fatawu this summer.
The Dutchman’s exit would likely lend to the Hammers pressing on with their negotiations to sign the 22-year-old Leicester City star, one of many expected to leave as they try and balance the books following relegation to League One.
However, no progress has allowed other clubs to make a jump in negotiations and Besiktas have entered the chase in a commanding position.
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The Turkish side have the prospect of European football on the cards, and face qualifying matches against FC Midtjylland in order to advance into the Europa League this season.
The signing of Leandro Trossard does leave West Ham with a manageable path forward to promise regular game time for Fatawu, which Besiktas may not be able to offer, but that largely depends on what outgoing business happens in East London.
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