West Ham battling for prolific midfielder as European club win transfer race

West Ham are now looking ahead to this weekend’s Premier League clash with leaders Liverpool. The Hammers were left frustrated by a 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth over the weekend, continuing their struggle to find consistency, and they will face a Liverpool side that will be fresh off the back of a surprise away defeat to Fulham.

The Irons will need to be ready for a Reds response, and Graham Potter will want to see more progress as he works getting his side to where he wants them for next season. In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the London Stadium.

Steijn links

West Ham are said to be interested in a deal for FC Twente midfielder Sem Steijn. According to The Boot Room, the Hammers are battling Crystal Palace and Wolves to sign the 23-year-old, who has scored a ridiculous 27 goals from midfield this season, also assisting six times.

It’s no surprise that, with that record, Steijn is attracting plenty of interest this summer, with reported interest in France and Germany, too. It’s unclear how much the midfielder will cost, but given his clear potential and the fact he is under contract until 2028, a deal isn’t likely to be overly cheap, even if FC Twente won’t be in a position to charge an extortionate fee, especially if the player wants a big move.

Banzuzi blow

Reports in Germany have suggested that West Ham will miss out on a deal to sign OH Leuven’s Ezechiel Banzuzi this summer despite being tipped to renew interest in the 20-year-old having come up short previously.

Bild now report that RB Leipzig will beat the Irons to the deal, expected to pay around £13.7million to wrap up a deal. It’s claimed the midfielder will pen a contract up to 2030. Leuven’s sporting director György Csepregi had already admitted that Banzuzi was disappointed not to secure a deal in the last window, and it looks as though he will now get his wish.

Todibo speaks

West Ham star Jean-Clair Todibo has been speaking about the side’s defensive improvement efforts and the quality his side have up top. “We’ve worked a lot and improved defensively of late, but we could’ve been better and got the win today,” he told the club website. “We’re going to keep working though, stay together and do our best until the end of the season.”

On Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen, he added: “Fülle is a world-class player, and I don’t think he has anything to prove in football. He’s already shown everyone just what a top striker he is. It’s great to have him back [following his recent three-month injury absence], and he’s going to help us. I don’t think people realise how good he is. He has everything, and his mentality is just unbelievable. He’s a real leader, and that’s just how he is naturally.

“I always say Jarrod is a top-class player, and similarly he has nothing to prove. He is one of the best in the league. He can do everything - he can play up front or out wide, and he is an international player for England as well. When you reach that level, I don’t think there can be any doubt about a player’s quality. We’re lucky to have both guys in our team.”

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