West Ham United are believed to have made a bid for Yann Karamoh over the weekend, so what does that mean for their pursuit of the Nigerian?
According to Goal.com’s French office, West Ham United have made an £8.7million bid for SC Caen attacker Yann Karamoh, and while the move appears to have come out of nowhere, one wonders if Hammers boss Slaven Bilic sees the teenager as a possible alternative to long-term target Henry Onyekuru.
As reported by Own Goal Nigeria earlier this month, West Ham tabled an improved £9million offer for the Eupen player after seeing an initial £7million quickly rejected by the Belgian club.
The problem for the Hammers is that Onyekuru’s cut-price release clause does not apply to English clubs – only those in the country where he is currently plying his trade – meaning Eupen are looking to push the price up for a player who enjoyed an outstanding campaign last time out.
Considering Onyekuru’s versatility and his return of 24 goals in 41 matches last season, West Ham should really be going all out for the 20-year-old. But the bid for Karamoh suggests Bilic may now be looking elsewhere.
While the latter is predominantly a winger he can also operate up front if required and at just 18 he has years to develop his game in a different position.
Just as Onyekuru does his best work out wide, Karamoh is an attacking wide man whose future could be as an out-and-out striker.
With Caen valuing the player at just £8.7million, there is also no back-and-forth between clubs attempting to push the price up, and the Hammers will know it is now down to the player to chose between them and his other alleged suitors RB Leipzig.
A move for Onyekuru may still go through in due course, but it does feel at this stage that West Ham are stepping back rather than being thrust into an auction, moving for an underwhelming alternative that could have their fans worrying about the possibility of transfer deja vu.
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