Yann Karamoh’s Caen displays have made him one of Ligue 1’s most exciting youngsters – and West Ham and Newcastle United are both interested.
Yann Karamoh is a man in demand this summer. And so he should be.
After all, it’s not every season an 18-year-old bursts onto the scene to help save his club from the drop. Yet, with five goals and four assists in a hugely impressive breakthrough campaign, Caen were indebted to the teenager as they secured their Ligue 1 survival on the final day of the season, finishing one point above the relegation play-off place.
Therefore, its little surprise the latest highly-rated French attacker has attracted interest from across the continent. Goal claims that Monaco and RB Leipzig, two clubs who exceeded expectations in 2016/17 thanks to the stunning performances of their flock of young talents, are tracking Karamoh’s development.
Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe-Lottin is the same age as Karamoh
And West Ham United are reported to have made an £8.7 million bid.
Yet, Karamoh, who has also been linked with Newcastle United, according to The Sun, has a demand for his potential new employers.
“If I had the choice, I would go to a club where I would play,” the youngster, who has scored once in two caps for France Under-21s, told Goal.
“I do not want to go to Monaco to go on loan. When I see (fellow Ligue 1 winger Allan) Saint-Maximin, who has been on loan at Bastia, I think ‘I just played 35 matches this season’, and I wonder if it’d be worth it.
“I want to play. I want to go to a club where I could continue to evolve to mature in two or three years.”
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
That certainly stands RB Leipzig in good stead. And it’s clear what West Ham must put on the table to convince Karamoh to reject two clubs preparing for Champions League football next season.
The problem, however, is that Michail Antonio will surely remain West Ham’s first choice right winger next season, meaning Karamoh faces a major challenge forcing his way into the starting XI.
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