The pull of Jose Mourinho has proved fatal for West Ham United’s plan to sign a top Julen Lopetegui target.
Today marks the official opening of the summer transfer window for international deals.
So West Ham now have two months in which to complete the major rebuild for new head coach Julen Lopetegui.
Or six weeks if the Hammers want to have the new-look squad in place for the start of the new Premier League season.
West Ham are said to be eyeing another six signings. But more will be needed if – as is expected – further sales are made to raise vital transfer funds.
The list of players West Ham are being linked with grows longer every day.
Much like the alleged managerial target list before Lopetegui was officially appointed.
Mourinho comes back to haunt Hammers
One name that was mentioned on more than one occasion in connection with West Ham was Jose Mourinho.
When those rumours emerged a West Ham spokesman shot them down emphatically in a Hammers News exclusive.
Now, though, Mourinho could come back to haunt the Hammers in their bid to get one of their new head coach’s prime targets to the London Stadium.
Mourinho is now managing Fenerbache in Turkey.
The Mourinho pull proves fatal for West Ham’s plan to sign a top Lopetegui target.
According to journalist Rudy Galetti, it has taken just one phone call to ruin West Ham’s best laid plans.
Ahead of Lopetegui’s official unveiling by West Ham, Hammers News exclusively revealed his top striker target.
Mourinho pull fatal for West Ham plan to sign En-Nesyri
The name was longstanding Hammers target Youssef En-Nesyri and it was presented to majority owner David Sullivan and Tim Steidten when he was being interviewed for the job.
Since our report En-Nesyri has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham at the third time of asking.
En-Nesyri was seen saying his goodbyes to Sevilla with reports claiming he is London Stadium bound.
Spanish publication El Mira also stated that West Ham would be reuniting Lopetegui and the Sevilla forward for just £17m this summer.
Marca also claimed En-Nesyri will definitely be sold for 20m Euros (£17m) – and most likely to the Hammers.
West Ham appeared to drop a clear En-Nesyri transfer hint on their own website recently.
The club has actually tried to sign En-Nesyri twice in the past only to be turned down on both occasions by the Moroccan striker.
There were claims En-Nesyri was still not sold on joining the Hammers this summer as they are not in Europe.
A couple of weeks ago, though, it emerged En-Nesyri is now open to joining West Ham.
‘Striker gives green light to Fenerbahce after Mourinho call’
But Galetti claims Mourinho called the striker and has convinced him to join Fene instead.
Now all that is left is for the Turkish club to agree a fee for En-Nesyri, with an offer imminent.
“Fenerbahce are ready to send an offer of around €15m (£12.75m) to Sevilla for En-Nesyri,” Galetti said.
“The club is open to letting him go for €20m (£17m): talks will continue in the next few days.
“Green light from the Moroccan for the transfer after receiving Mourinho’s phone call, as (Sevilla-based journalist Maximo de la Cruz Ramirez Ramirez said.”
At £17m not only does En-Nesyri fit perfectly into West Ham’s tight budget, it looks a complete no-brainer.
Lopetegui presented a list of four players he wanted to the Hammers when being interviewed, and En-Nesyri was one of them after they worked so well together at Sevilla.
En-Nesyri also has the key attributes needed to thrive in the English top flight. His hold-up play is great, he has excellent pace and his aerial ability is second to none.
Having only just turned 27, En-Nesyri is at a good age too.
He recorded an average match rating of just under 7/10 last season, being voted Sevilla’s man of the match on four occasions.
But now it looks like he will be signing for Fenerbahce unless the Hammers can intervene and change the player’s mind.
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