Baris Alper Yilmaz transfer: Frontrunners emerge in West Ham striker update
West Ham are facing competition in the race to sign Galatasaray's Baris Alper Yilmaz, according to TBR Football.
The online source reports [19 January] that Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest are both keen on signing the 24-year-old winger, who has notched 10 goals and one assist in 19 league appearances this term.
It is understood that Yilmaz is a player of interest at the London Stadium, with scouts being sent by the Hammers to Galatasaray's 3-2 win over Sivasspor last month [TBR Football].
West Ham United to miss out on Baris Alper Yilmaz transfer?
Graham Potter cannot afford to lose out on signing a brand-new forward to one of their Premier League rivals, especially not someone of Yilmaz's calibre.
The Turkish international, who can play anywhere across the frontline, is currently having the season of his life, boasting 11 goals and one assist across competitions.
He has also become an incredibly important member of his national team, already winning 24 caps after bursting onto the scene in the Turkish Super Lig.
While he is not the out-and-out striker who the Hammers are desperate to add to the squad before 3 February, it would do the club absolutely no harm to draw him away from Newcastle and Forest.
Yilmaz has the potential to be a massive star in the Premier League, and if the Irons are to miss out on his signature this month, it could be a missed signing they go on to regret in the future.
With Crysencsio Summerville injured, Mohammed Kudus far from his best, Jarrod Bowen currently sidelined and Luis Guilherme possibly on his way out [The Times], Yilmaz could be the ideal signing.
It remains to be seen how much a deal like this would cost for such an in-form forward in the winter transfer window but Hammers fans are eager for business to be done at the London Stadium.
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