West Ham United chance verdict in transfer hunt for Blackpool star Karamoko Dembele
Carlton Palmer says it will be “interesting” to see whether West Ham can do a deal for Brest’s Karamoko Dembele but feels they might be at a disadvantage.
The former England midfielder told Football League World on 22 March that with so many clubs in the hunt for the “superb” 21-year-old he might be more taken by the chance to move to a top side in this season’s Championship in a bid to get more game time.
The Hammers are in the frame along with Premier League rivals including Brentford, Everton and Fulham, while Southampton, Leeds and Leicester are also interested in the attacker who has thrived on loan at Blackpool this season.
Palmer said: “Karamoko Dembele is attracting a lot of interest. He is on loan at Blackpool which has seen the 21-year-old excel, he has been in superb form for Blackpool this season. He has contributed to 19 goals across all competitions.
“This has brought him to the attention of West Ham and Everton, who are looking at the player. It will be interesting to see if they can make a deal with his present club to get him out. With his age at 21, he could be a possible top-flight player.
“Maybe a Leeds or a Leicester would be more appealing to a player in terms of him getting more game time. If he went to Everton or West Ham, he would be more of a squad player.
“It will be interesting to see what happens with him. He has done really, really well, and at the age of 21 I think he would look to go to a club perhaps like Leeds or Leicester where he will be guaranteed more game time if he moves.”
West Ham at a disadvantage to Leeds United in race for youngster?
Whether there are players in his way at the London Stadium or not it may be David Moyes who is seen as more of a blockage to first-team action if the manager stays in charge.
Flynn Downes is just one of the recent signings who have never looked like earning the Scot’s trust, and a younger player from a lower league than the midfielder’s former side Swansea will only have a harder task to get a look in.
Perhaps with a late-blooming talent, albeit one said to have “devastating” skills on the ball, with one strong campaign in League One Moyes would be right to be cautious.
It remains quite possible that he moves on in the summer, so if Dembele is a player that Tim Steidten views as one for the future that could put West Ham well in the running for him, especially with Lucas Paqueta still linked with a move away.
There will likely need to be multiple additions in attacking areas at the end of the season, and there are enough reasons to think reported transfer rivals might not be major threats.
Everton have financial concerns, Leicester have just been hit by an EFL transfer embargo amid the threat of points deductions in the Premier League and the Championship [Guardian, 22 March], and Leeds have extensive attacking options already.
So perhaps the Irons aren’t such an unappealing option, depending on the managerial situation, but if they do go for him there will surely need to be a lot more in terms of attacking reinforcements.
In other West Ham news, club chiefs are apparently involved in a major dispute behind the scenes with rivals over big-money.
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