Peter Lynch

Sun 9 April 2023 17:10, UK

West Ham sent scouts to watch Feyenoord duo Orkun Kokcu and Santiago Gimenez in their meeting with rivals Ajax on Wednesday (5 April), according to the Mirror.

Fellow Premier League clubs Manchester United, Tottenham, Brighton, Leicester and Brentford, along with a handful of top European clubs, also had scouts present at the match.

Forward Gimenez and midfielder Kokcu played the entire 90 minutes in the 2-1 defeat, with the former scoring his club’s only goal on the night.

“A host of Premier League clubs had scouts at the explosive Dutch De Klassieker this week to watch highly-rated Feyenoord pair Orkun Kokcu and Santiago Gimenez,” according to the Mirror.

“The two players are driving Feyenoord towards the club’s first Eredivisie title in six years and have also helped them reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

“Representatives from Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Monaco, Lyon, Wolfsburg and Sevilla were also at De Kuip to see Ajax win 2-1.”

Highly coveted

The Feyenoord pair are evidently two of the hottest properties on the market, with both catching the eye in what has been a superb season for the club as they sit five points clear of PSV at the top of the Eredivisie table.

At just 22, Kokcu already boasts over 150 appearances for the Dutch outfit, with his leadership in central midfield earning him the captain’s armband.

The Turkey international could be the perfect replacement for Declan Rice, who looks destined to leave the London Stadium this summer.

Gimenez meanwhile has banged in 17 goals from his 36 Feyenoord games following his move from Cruz Azul last summer.

The Mexico international could certainly be the solution to West Ham’s attacking problems, but the Hammers will have a real fight on their hands for his and Kokcu’s signatures this summer. 

Premier League safety will, of course, be the minimum requirement for West Ham if they are to have any hope of landing either one or both of the talented duo.