Peter Lynch

Fri 7 July 2023 11:40, UK

West Ham have been handed a transfer boost as AC Milan have cooled down their interest in Valencia ace Yunus Musah, according to Calciomercato.

The publication noted that the Spanish club want €25million (£21million) for the midfielder this summer, with Milan falling below that figure.

Calciomercato added that the player’s price tag has been raised due to the interest from Premier League duo West Ham and Fulham.

“Especially with the American from Valencia, the track seems to cool down as the hours go by,” according to Calciomercato. “Milan offered €15million plus bonuses in a proposal that would reach €17/18 million, not much for the Spaniards.

“To free up their midfielder, they ask for €25million. A clear distance between the parties that put the brakes on a negotiation that seemed like it could proceed quickly.

“And to complicate it there are also the interests of two Premier League teams, West Ham and Fulham, which certainly only raise the price.”

Top talent

Given the fact that West Ham ace Declan Rice is set to leave the London Stadium this summer for Arsenal for a fee of £105million, the £21million figure for Musah should be viewed as an absolute bargain.

At 20 years old, Musah certainly doesn’t have the same experience as the Hammers captain, but he can certainly grow over the coming years in claret and blue.

Musah is, however, already a fully-fledged international with the USA, boasting 27 caps for his country.

And the young midfielder also has plenty of big-game experience from his time with Valencia, where he boasts 94 La Liga appearances.

Filling Rice’s boots in East London is an impossible task, but Musah definitely has the potential to at least shine at the London Stadium in Rice’s absence.

West Ham do, however, seemingly find themselves in a battle for the midfielder’s services, with Premier League rivals Fulham also showing an interest.

In other West Ham news, a “shock” new role could be on the cards for Rice at his new club next season.