West Ham United target Yunus Musah set for transfer developments this week after failed Chelsea bid in January
Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah is “looking for a transfer” and the West Ham target is set to be “touted” round Premier League clubs this week, according to Dean Jones.
The Hammers had been watching the USMNT midfielder through the final weeks of the season amid a relegation battle in La Liga, and AS reported on 19 June that they have a “special interest” in the youngster.
According to CBS Sports on 13 June the Irons are the most prominent suitors for the 20-year-old, who was subject of a failed €35million Chelsea bid [£30million] in January, but Jones has suggested the competition is going to hot up in a big way very soon.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT the former Eurosport journalist said: “Yeah, I think Musah is going to be on the radar of quite a few teams. He’s looking for a transfer. And absolutely, West Ham should look to get into that conversation.
“But they won’t be the only one. To be honest. I think he’ll be touted around to five or six teams in the Premier League over the course of the next week or so. Look out for more of that.”
Time to move
Midfield is evidently the position of most focus at West Ham currently, with Declan Rice’s presumed exit the headline.
But there will need to be new arrivals at that spot whatever happens, with Tomas Soucek’s form having fallen away from a couple of seasons ago and Flynn Downes given only sporadic opportunities at the base of midfield in his first season.
The Czech international is potentially leaving this summer along with Rice, so multiple signings will need to be made, and reports seem to suggest that the Hammers are at the front of the queue for Musah so far.
But if that landscape is set to change imminently they could be overtaken, so while the club are obviously going to have a big focus on a Rice exit they can’t get left behind in terms of filling the gap he will leave if he goes.
The likes of Joao Palhinha and Edson Alvarez appear to have already proven out of reach so if West Ham are serious about Musah they will need to ensure a similar situation doesn’t arise with him.
A deal to sign him from Valencia is likely to be more affordable than some of the alternatives this summer so a bid may be necessary as soon as possible before a host of other teams get more heavily involved.
In other West Ham news, a club has moved onto other options because they can’t afford the price demanded by the Irons.