West Ham Eyes Strikers Hugo Ekitike and Yuri Alberto, Plus a Glance at Ian Maatsen
West Ham United’s quest for attacking prowess continues as they pursue PSG’s Hugo Ekitike and Corinthians’ Yuri Alberto to bolster their strike force. The club is also keeping an eye on Chelsea’s left back Ian Maatsen as transfer deadline day looms.
West Ham is leaving no stone unturned in their search for a striker before the transfer window concludes. They are engaged in talks with Paris Saint-Germain for Hugo Ekitike and are simultaneously exploring a deal with Corinthians for Yuri Alberto. Additionally, the Hammers have expressed interest in Peterborough United’s defender Ronnie Edwards, aged 20.
Recent reports from Mail Sport indicated that West Ham remains eager to secure a forward, even after acquiring Mohammed Kudus. They have set their sights on a trio of targets, including Ekitike, Yuri Alberto, and Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri.
Hugo Ekitike, who initially moved to Parc des Princes on loan from Reims in 2022, has struggled to find the net, managing just four goals in 32 appearances for PSG. Meanwhile, Yuri Alberto boasts 52 goals in 158 appearances for Brazilian clubs Internacional and Corinthians, with one cap for Brazil’s national team.
West Ham’s pursuit of Ekitike from PSG is in full swing, while negotiations for Yuri Alberto with Corinthians are simultaneously in progress. In a separate development, West Ham is also pursuing Chelsea’s left back Ian Maatsen.
Ekitike’s European adventure began with a loan to Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, though he only made 16 appearances during his time there. On the other hand, Edwards, a commanding centre back, has been a consistent presence in Peterborough’s defense, participating in 74 games across the Championship and League One over the past two seasons.
West Ham is not alone in the race for Ian Maatsen, as Burnley and Borussia Dortmund have also shown interest in the Chelsea left back. Everton has set its sights on West Ham’s Maxwel Cornet as the transfer window enters its final phase.
Maxwel Cornet, an Ivory Coast international, had a relatively limited role last season, making just 21 appearances across all competitions following his £18 million move from Burnley. He has played only one minute of Premier League football this season. West Ham’s Pablo Fornals, a valuable asset, has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, potentially leading to a move.
In other news, West Ham’s podcast, “It’s All Kicking Off,” offers a distinctive perspective on Premier League football. With episodes available on platforms like MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify, the podcast promises to provide a fresh outlook on the league.
