Everton and West Ham are reportedly keen on Chelsea attacker Bertrand Traore.
Bertrand Traore
According to Foot Mercato, West Ham United have joined Everton in making a ‘firm offer’ to sign Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore this summer.
Traore, 21, joined Chelsea back in 2013 having previously been in the academy of French side Auxerre, with a protracted saga leading to his move to Stamford Bridge.
Bertrand Traore in action with Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian
The Burkina Faso international, who already has 38 caps for his country, has made 16 appearances for Chelsea, scoring four goals, having spent most of his time out on loan elsewhere.
An 18 month loan spell with Vitesse Arnhem saw Traore score 20 goals in 51 appearances, and he returned to the Netherlands last term during a loan stint with Ajax, notching 13 goals and four assists in all competitions.
Bertrand Traore in action with Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind
Now, Traore – who can play up front or out wide – returns to Chelsea to fight for first-team football, but with Diego Costa, Michy Batshuayi, Pedro, Willian and Eden Hazard all vying for roles, he could find first-team football hard to come by.
Foot Mercato subsequently report that Traore is attracting major interest, and has firm offers on the table from Everton and West Ham United, as well as Lille, Lyon, Borussia Monchengladbach and Schalke.
Chelsea’s Bertrand Traore in action with Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel
It’s even claimed that one club has offered €17million (£14.85million) to sign Traore, but Chelsea are standing firm with their €20million (£17.5millon) asking price, leaving clubs with some thinking to do as they pursue his signature.
Traore possesses great pace but an inconsistent end product, meaning that Everton or West Ham would have to commit to developing him over the coming years, rather than expecting an instant impact from the attacker.
Would you like to see Traore join Everton or West Ham?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
