West Ham United have stepped up their efforts to sign FC Metz prospect Alpha Touré this winter. Reports from L’Equipe confirm that the East London club tabled an opening bid of €7m (£5.8m) for the 19-year-old defensive midfielder.
West Ham Pursue Metz Starlet Alpha Touré to Bolster Midfield
The Premier League side’s first bid was to show they meant business. Even so, Metz sporting director Frédéric Arpinon promptly rejected the proposal. He insisted the figure is well below the French club’s valuation.
The Hammers are in a tough spot this season. They currently sit 18th in the Premier League table and trail Nottingham Forest by seven points. The club need to bring in new faces to salvage their campaign.
Nuno Espírito Santo might clearly see Touré as a player who could offer long-term value. His immediate impact remains uncertain. Still, the Portuguese manager needs more energy in the centre of the park. Touré’s profile is exactly what Nuno wants for a squad needing a spark.
Even after the initial rebuff, West Ham are still very interested. The report suggests the Hammers will return with a better offer in the coming days. The player himself remains coy regarding the speculation. Reporters pressed him on the matter last Friday. Touré deflected questions about a potential switch to the English capital.
“I’m focused on my game, and I’m letting my agent handle it.”
His refusal to rule out a move gives the West Ham hierarchy some hope. However, they face stiff competition. Several European sides are keeping a close eye on the teenager’s situation.
These include Lyon, OGC Nice, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Feyenoord. A report indicates that Feyenoord have also submitted a formal bid. The Dutch club have not disclosed the financial details of their approach.
Will the Hammers get him?
Time is running out for Nuno. The transfer window is ticking down while rivals circle. The Hammers must use their superior financial power to get a deal done. They hold a distinct economic advantage over their Dutch and French competitors. However, the board is still cautious. They do not want to overpay for a player who hasn’t played much top-level football.
Securing Touré would be a massive result for the Hammers. The relegation battle demands immediate results. However, investing in high-potential talent like the Senegalese midfielder shows the club are thinking about the long run. The coming week will give us a more complete picture. West Ham are preparing their second approach. They hope to tempt Metz into a sale before the window shuts.
