David Sullivan instructs Tim Steidten to hold transfer talks for next West Ham United signing
David Sullivan has instructed Tim Steidten to hold talks with Monaco over the possibility of West Ham signing Youssouf Fofana, according to ExWHUemployee.
The Hammers insider reported on his Patreon on 4 August that David Moyes prefers other targets but is prepared to hear how much the Ligue 1 outfit want for the 24-year-old midfielder.
He said the problem with the France international is that there is a lot of competition to sign him, with Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Steidten’s former club Bayer Leverkusen also interested.
Tricky
This could be a tricky deal to try and get over the line as ExWHUemployee noted Monaco’s initial asking price is believed to be about £50million, as the Hammers are unlikely to offer anywhere near that valuation.
He said the move for the midfielder comes as the French club look to be closing in on a deal for Denis Zakaria after the Irons failed to agree a deal with Juventus for him despite reports previously suggesting he was heading to the London Stadium.
But a deal for Fofana could have a lot more upside as he has impressed since joining Monaco from Strasbourg in 2020, having made 140 appearances for the club and featured in a number of European games.
His form in Ligue 1 has also earned him 10 caps for France since making his debut in September 2022, with the defensive midfielder playing six times at the World Cup in his side’s run to the final.
Fofana is in form and would slot nicely into the Hammers’ side as a protective shield in front of the defence, so this is a deal that’s definitely worth pursuing.
In other West Ham news, the club are still eyeing a move for their “dream” midfielder this summer.