West Ham United in summer transfer battle with Aston Villa for Baris Alper Yilmaz
West Ham United are set to battle Aston Villa and Napoli for the signing of forward Baris Alper Yilmaz from Galatasaray this summer, according to Aksam.
The Turkish outlet has reported (30 May) that the Istanbul club could demand up to £17million for the Turkey international from the Hammers.
There is interest from multiple clubs with Aston Villa and Napoli being named alongside West Ham as the most interested.
Should he move to the London Stadium this summer he could become the largest sale in the history of Galatasaray after Arda Turan.
Who is West Ham target Baris Alper Yilmaz?
Yilmaz, 24, has played a useful role in the Gala squad as they won the Turkish Super Lig by one point over Fenerbache.
He has plenty of versatility which could make him a positive addition to the the Hammers’ squad under Julen Lopetegui.
The Turkish international has featured on both wings, as a fullback and as a striker this league campaign which has seen him score six and assist six in 28 starts. In all competitions, he scored seven goals and supplied 12 assists in 55 appearances.
Yilmaz thrives with the ball at his feet as he likes to dribble forward where he can and pick out key passes to his teammates.
His positive tackling makes him a useful option as a full back and he could become a versatile option in various formations.
The Hammers could benefit from some additional winger options to play a role in the squad as a backup to the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.
Tim Steidten could do worse than bringing in Yilmaz this summer to add to Lopetegui’s new Hammers side.
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