West Ham United have been boosted in their hopes of landing Youssef En-Nesyri as the Sevilla star is open to sealing a switch to the London Stadium as head coach Julen Lopetegui also turns his attentions towards securing cover for the injured Edson Alvarez, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Brazilian teenager Luis Guilherme became the Hammers’ first signing of the summer when he completed a £25million move from Palmeiras earlier this month, but technical director Tim Steidten is refusing to rest on his laurels as he heads up the east Londoners’ recruitment drive.
Lopetegui, who has succeeded David Moyes in the West Ham dugout after penning an initial two-year contract, has set his sights on bolstering the squad he has inherited ahead of welcoming Aston Villa to the capital on the opening weekend of the fast-approaching new season.
En-Nesyri Willing to Seal Summer Switch to London Stadium
Hammers preparing to negotiate deal with Sevilla
West Ham have had some positive feedback suggesting that En-Nesyri wants to embark on a fresh challenge with the capital club, according to GMS sources, resulting in the 2023 Europa Conference League winners edging towards entering club-to-club negotiations with current employers Sevilla.
Lopetegui is keen to reunite with the Morocco international centre forward, who found the back of the net 36 times over the course of 115 appearances under his stewardship at the La Liga side, and has pinpointed him as a leading target as preparations are made for his first season at the helm.
En-Nesyri would provide Michail Antonio with stiff competition for a regular starting berth if a switch to the London Stadium is rubber-stamped, and it has emerged that Sevilla are open to sanctioning his departure if their demands for a fee in the region of £21million are met ahead of the August 30 deadline.
