West Ham United are now looking to bring in Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah as they prepare for life without Declan Rice.
Former Arsenal talent Yunus Musah is emerging as a top target for West Ham United this summer.
That is according to a report from CBS Sports, who claim that West Ham want to bring Musah to East London.
It’s suggested that a number of Premier League clubs want to sign Musah this summer.
However, it’s West Ham who are showing the most interest in Musah even if a firm offer hasn’t yet been made.
The report claims that both Arsenal and Liverpool have sent scouts to watch Musah in action this season.
Chelsea even offered €35million (£31million) in January but Valencia rejected the offer.
That will now form a guideline for West Ham, who will likely have to go higher than that figure now.
It’s noted that West Ham want two players to replace Rice this summer – a defensive midfielder to replace Rice’s anchoring qualities and a player who can carry the ball up the pitch.
Musah is viewed as an option for the latter role with West Ham now showing major interest in the United States international.
This comes amid claims that Arsenal are now pushing to get Rice snapped up.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that Arsenal have now made an opening offer to sign Rice but West Ham have said no.
Manchester City are now looking into a bid of their own for Rice, who looks set to move on this summer in a deal worth around £100million.
Who is West Ham United target Yunus Musah?
Musah was born in New York but moved to Italy at a young age meaning he started out with Giorgione Calcio 2000 in Veneto.
Musah moved to London at the age of just nine and ended up joining the Arsenal ranks.
Highly rated at Arsenal, Musah spent seven years with the Gunners before heading off to Valencia in 2019.
Musah has progressed rapidly in Spain and has already racked up more than 100 appearances for the Valencia first team.
Capable of playing in central midfield or even out wide, Musah appears to have huge potential and could be a real gem for West Ham.
What’s interesting is that Musah’s former coach Trevor Bumstead spoke to First Time Finish in 2021 and likened Musah to none other than Declan Rice.
Bumstead suggested that Musah is ‘on the same level’ as Rice, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe having worked with all of them previously.
“It’s always difficult predicting who will go on to play first-team football,” said Bumstead. “Having worked with Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, I would consider Musah to be on the same level as those.”
“His physical stats at under-16 would compare to our first-team players. The sports scientists dragged him off the pitch. He was consistent in his behaviours which led him to be consistent in his performances. He recognised his strengths and weaknesses,” he added.
Rice has really kicked on since then but Musah is an enormous talent and West Ham may utilise him to replace Rice in David Moyes’ midfield.
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