West Ham United eye in-demand Monaco goalkeeper sensation Lisandru Olmeta
West Ham are among a host of teams who are eyeing teenage Monaco goalkeeper Lisandru Olmeta for a summer move, Foot Mercato reports.
The youngster, who is the son of former Lyon and Marseille keeper Pascal Olmeta, is currently hesitating over whether to sign his first professional contract at the Ligue 1 side.
The 17-year-old was in goal when France’s under-17s side won the European Championships a year ago and is attracting interest from elsewhere in France, but also from England in a major way.
Manchester City are ready to go head to head with Rennes in an attempt to land a player who is reportedly not delaying his stay in Monaco over money, but clarity of the “sporting project”.
The Hammers are joined by Leeds, Chelsea and Manchester United to round out a sizeable Premier League contingent with designs on the player.
Dynasty
Following in his father’s footsteps in goal it looks like Olmeta is destined for big things, having already caught the eye at age group levels.
If his consideration is not purely financial it should prevent Chelsea and the Manchester clubs being the only sides with a chance to sign him.
And if West Ham could convince him of a clear route to progress towards first team football in the coming seasons then they should be in with a shout.
There is no space in the first team for game time currently, with Lukasz Fabianski ensconced as the starter and cup games handled by Alphonse Areola, but the Pole is getting on in years so presumably won’t be in that position for long, even if he does continue to defy his age by performing strongly at the moment.
Darren Randolph currently rounds out the group but there is sure to be space for a youngster within a couple of years, even if that isn’t Olmeta but one of the current under-21 squad.
The teenager is at a crossroads and has plenty of options in front of him, so if the Irons want to be in contention to sign him in the summer it is time to make a convincing pitch, although being confident of remaining a Premier League side into the foreseeable future will be pretty important to that considering the current turmoil.