The Saudi Pro League seems to be a genuine threat to the mid-level Premier League clubs these days, West Ham United included.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr back in 2023, numerous big names players have followed him out to Saudi, including the likes of N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema and Roberto Firmino.
Now West Ham could be affected by the Saudi riches this summer it seems.
Julen Lopetegui took over as Hammers manager last week, and is already lining up numerous transfer deals for attackers, including one for Luis Guilherme.
We told you earlier this week how Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is on the West Ham radar as well.
Youssef En-Nesyri is another forward on Lopetegui’s wish-list, and West Ham are believed to be closing in on him.
Signing a top-class striker will be vitally important for Lopetegui this summer, if he is to guide the Hammers to any kind of real success.
However, there’s some bad news for the East London outfit this morning, as clubs from Saudi begin to flex their financial muscles…
West Ham dealt big summer transfer blow
The Hammers fans can already see a huge difference between the way that Lopetegui works compared to David Moyes.
The Spaniard is working alongside Tim Steitden, trying to get deals done as soon as possible.
That said, sometimes things are taken out of your control.
One of the deals the Hammers are trying to wrap up as soon as possible is the signing of En-Nesyri from Sevilla.
According to Vamos Mi Sevilla, En-Nesyri is now valued at £26 million by Sevilla, and Saudi clubs have joined the Hammers and Aston Villa in the race for his signature.
The Morocco international is a striker who’d be absolutely perfect for the current setup at West Ham, so losing out on him would be a real blow.
En-Nesyri has bagged 72 goals in 193 appearances for Sevilla (Transfermarkt) – better than a goal every three games.
He has an impressive 112 goals for club and country to his name – a very decent return considering that he’s only 26.
The 26-year-old is exceptionally strong in the air, runs the channels tirelessly and is a good finisher. Let’s hope that West Ham manager to win the race for his signature this summer, but interest in him from Saudi is far from ideal.
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