Are West Ham behind a mystery bid from a Premier League club for a rapid German forward who’s been put up for sale?
When it comes to knowledge of the German market, clubs will be hard pressed to outwit West Ham.
German technical director Tim Steidten is now in full control of recruitment for the Hammers.
Just as he was at Bayer Leverkusen – and look how that worked out for them.
Steidten is certainly not playing around when it comes to West Ham’s transfer activity for the summer window.
Although it seems to have hit a late snag, the Hammers are believed to be close to completing a deal to sign centre-back Fabricio Bruno from Flamengo.
West Ham’s reported £100m budget will be bolstered by any outgoings.
Steidten is working together with new head coach Julen Lopetegui on a major West Ham rebuild.
The duo are planning to bring in between six and eight signings with centre-back Bruno targeted as the first.
Steidten is prioritising getting deals done for two new centre halves and a forward as soon as possible.
Striker search not limited to one target
Hammers News exclusively brought you the news that Youssef En-Nesyri is the striker name on a list of targets Lopetegui presented to David Sullivan when interviewed for the job.
The Moroccan has turned down moves to West Ham twice in the past. But he enjoyed some of his best football under Lopetegui at Sevilla. So it is thought it could be a case of third time lucky for the Hammers in signing him.
En-Nesyri was spotted saying an emotional farewell to Sevilla fans as he was subbed in the 90th minute of their last game of the season so that he could receive a standing ovation.
A Spanish journalist reckons it was a goodbye ahead of a bid from West Ham.
But Unai Emery and ex Sevilla director Monchi have other ideas and want to lure him to play Champions League football with Aston Villa instead.
Steidten is not one to be caught napping and is known to have multiple plans when he does deals. Last summer he pulled off a masterstroke tricking Ajax into outbidding West Ham for Carlos Borges – a player he didn’t actually want – knowing it would force the Dutch giants to sell Mohammed Kudus to the Hammers.
It’s reasonable to assume Steidten will have other targets in mind for all eventualities.
So are West Ham behind a mystery bid for a rapid German forward who’s been put up for sale?
Are West Ham behind mystery bid for Adeyemi?
Karim Adeyemi was one of the most coveted young stars in world football when Borussia Dortmund snapped him up from RB Salzburg in 2022 for around £30 million.
But the 22-year-old has failed to build on his undoubted promise with just 14 goals in 65 appearances for Dortmund since.
Adeyemi started just 10 games in the Bundesliga last season, scoring three goals and adding one assist.
He will be part of former West Ham assistant Edin Terzic’s squad to face Real Madrid but is highly unlikely to start.
The young forward’s two biggest assets are pure pace and finishing.
He can also play on the left wing and up front as a central striker – two positions West Ham are looking to strengthen.
There has been a huge development over his future.
According to Sky Germany, Adeyemi has left his current agent as links regarding an exit from Dortmund start to swirl.
Hammers the unnamed English club?
And according to the report he is attracting interest from an unnamed Premier League club.
Not only that but Dortmund will sell Adeyemi to the suitor “if the price is right”.
Steidten will clearly have unparalleled knowledge of Adeyemi, who has four caps for Germany and one goal.
So could West Ham be the club making the enquiry about signing him.
He certainly fits the profile of player Steidten is targeting and in the right position too.
The obvious German connection could be another clue.
West Ham want to get those three key signings made before July 1st – Lopetegui’s first official day of work.
And crucially there are no obstacles in that regard when it comes to Adeyemi as he has been left out of Germany’s Euro 2024 squad.
At the right price this could be a brilliant bit of business for West Ham.
It would certainly breathe huge excitement into the team’s prospects for next season.
Take one look at Adeyemi’s highlights below and imagine him alongside the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen up front for West Ham.