Talks between Leandro Trossard and Arsenal are being monitored by West Ham in case an agreement cannot be reached.
However, before anyone gets too excited about news that the Hammers are tracking the Belgian, who scored 17 times last season, our interest comes with a note of caution.
The Gunners are looking to replace 29-year-old Trossard with West Ham’s very own Mohammed Kudus, meaning that should the former Brighton player become available, it would likely mean the Hammers have lost their star boy.
Don’t get me wrong – Trossard is a decent player and would probably add to the West Ham squad, but if we have to lose Kudus to facilitate the transfer, then forget it.
Over the past week, numerous reports have speculated that Arsenal will pay anywhere from £83-90 million for the Ghanaian, who is currently serving a five-match suspension for violent conduct, specifically for pushing Tottenham players.
The winger’s ban seems to have done little to deter Arsenal, and the truth is that West Ham can do very little to stop the transfer if Kudus wants to leave. An £85 million release clause is set for next season, which would allow any buying club to secure his services at that fee.
It would, of course, be the most West Ham thing ever to replace a young, fast, tricky footballer with a slower one nearing the end of his career – which is why these links to Trossard have got me more than a little nervous.
