West Ham United are preparing a £20m offer for Alexandre Lacazette’s teammate Nabil Fekir, according to a number of reports.
The young French international is widely recognised as one of the most promising young players in Europe, having produced a number of wonderful performances in 2014/15 that saw him win Ligue 1 young player of the season.
The 22-year-old started the most recent campaign in superb form, bagging four goals in four games before he was ruled out until April with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He has not made it into Didier Deschamps’ French squad as a result and it now looks as if the Hammers are ready to offer him a chance at playing in the Premier League.
The new Messi?
Some of the best clubs in Europe have tracked Fekir over the past couple of years and Lyon president Jean-Michal Aulas has nothing but praise for the talented attacker:
“I have the same eyes for Fekir as the president of Barcelona has for a small Argentine who relies heavily on his left foot as well. He is my Messi,
“In a match he is capable, like Lionel Messi, of shaking things up” said Aulas last season when the Frenchman was on top of his game.
Fekir’s injury may work in West Ham’s favour as he has slipped under the radar in recent months due to a lack of action. However, if the Hammers can negotiate a deal for the player, they would have a potentially world-class talent at their disposal next season.
Capable of playing up top and behind the striker, Fekir is a player that can create and score goals. In 2014/15, he scored 13 league goals and registered 12 assists as he linked up brilliantly with Alexandre Lacazette.
Whether Lyon would sanction the sale of both Lacazette and Fekir in the same summer is unlikely but the Hammers will test the French club’s resolve with a strong bid for the 22-year-old.
Bilic is looking to add further attacking quality to his side this summer and if the Hammers can sign up Fekir, it would be a real coup for the East London club.
