West Ham make Noel Aseko transfer presence felt as certainty already shared
West Ham have been linked with a move for Bayern Munich youngster Noel Aseko amid an impressive loan at Hannover 96.
Just under a month ago, the talk around West Ham was the potential sacking of manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
But the gloom around London Stadium has somewhat lifted after West Ham beat Burnley last Saturday; their third Premier League win in four matches.
West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville has been in red-hot form as he scored for the fifth game in a row for the Hammers.
While their primary focus is on staving off relegation, with West Ham still three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, speculation has mounted that they have their eyes on defensive midfielder Aseko.
West Ham eye the ‘new N’Golo Kante’ as transfer race intensifies
According to Transfermarkt, Bayern are deciding what to do about Aseko, 20, as he makes great strides at 2.Bundesliga side Hannover.
The report states that Bayern rejected two offers in the winter transfer window for the Germany Under-21 international; one from Galatasaray and the other from a Bundesliga team.
Aseko, who the report states is “often compared to N’Golo Kante”, is said to be wanted by West Ham and Brighton, along with three unnamed German top-flight clubs.
West Ham are said to have made their presence felt with regards to their interest.
Conversely, with midfielder Leon Goretzka set to leave the German giants this summer, that could present an opportunity for Aseko, who is also on Villarreal’s radar.
The report adds that if the Berlin-born player does depart Vincent Kompany’s side this summer, the one certainty is that his transfer fee is “likely to skyrocket significantly and could go into the double-digit million range”.
Moreover, Aseko has increased his market value from £784,000 to £5.2million off the back of featuring regularly at Hannover, who sit fifth in 2.Bundesliga and have a shot at promotion. Hannover are hopeful of buying him permanently but Transfermarkt say that is “out of the question”.
Can West Ham’s winter signings keep them in the Premier League?
After a disastrous first half of the season, West Ham spent big on forwards Taty Castellanos and Pablo to try and bolster their attack.
Axel Disasi impressed on his West Ham debut following his loan move from Chelsea, while winger Adama Traore grabbed headlines for his battling capabilities against the Blues.
Had it not been for Chelsea’s stunning comeback from two goals down before winning 3-2 at Stamford Bridge, West Ham would be in the relegation zone on goal difference.
Next up, Nuno’s in-form side host a Manchester United team who have won four on the bounce in the league under interim boss Michael Carrick.
If they can beat the Red Devils, their remarkable bid to beat the drop will be well and truly on.
They may also need a favour from basement side Wolves who travel to Forest on Wednesday and Chelsea, who host 16th-placed Leeds United on Tuesday.