West Ham 'step in' to hijack Aston Villa's £17 million move to sign 24-year-old winger - report

West Ham United are threatening to derail one of Aston Villa’s summer transfer window plans it seems.

The summer transfer window will be a crucial one for West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui, and the Spaniard is planning to deal his old adversary Unai Emery a big blow.

That’s because the Hammers have allegedly just entered the race to sign an attacker being courted by Aston Villa.

Lopetegui is reportedly prioritising strengthening his attacking department at the London Stadium this summer.

And the Spaniard is said to have a transfer budget of around £90 million at his disposal, not including player sales.

The West Ham boss could be set to use around 20% of that budget to challenge Aston Villa for one attacker in particular this summer…

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West Ham to battle Aston Villa for forward

It’s not the first time the two clubs have been pitted against each other in the race to sign a forward this summer.

Earlier this week, we told you how Aston Villa are threatening to hijack the Hammers’ move to sign Sevilla ace Youssef En-Nesyri.

Now, West Ham could be set to get our own back on the west Midlands outfit.

Lopetegui absolutely has to add more pace and guile to his left and right wing departments this summer.

And the Hammers latest transfer target is someone who can fulfil both of those roles, so it’s no surprise that the West Ham boss might want to sign him.

West Ham eyeing summer transfer window swoop for 24-year-old

Fotospor claim that West Ham have ‘stepped in’ and joined Aston Villa in the race to sign Galatasaray star Baris Alper Yilmaz this summer.

The 24-year-old bagged seven goals and 12 assists in 55 games for Gala this season just gone. He has racked up 24 goals and 23 assists in 189 career appearances (Transfermarkt).

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He can play on the right wing, left wing or even through the middle as an auxiliary centre-forward if need be.

The Turkish ace possesses decent pace and is an incredibly hard worker. However, I’m just not sure he’s the man we need.

Milliyet recently claimed that Yilmaz will cost around £17 million this summer. I have to say, that seems like a rather expensive fee, considering the fact that the 24-year-old is completely unproven in the Premier League, and his less than impressive goalscoring record.

I would much prefer to see West Ham sign someone like Luis Guilherme or Jota Silva in the summer transfer window.

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