West Ham United more advanced to seal Jeremy Doku transfer, bid already on table

West Ham United are consequently more advanced in the Premier League race to sign Rennes attacker Jeremy Doku, according to the Independent.

According to the UK publication (17 August), the Hammers are joined by Tottenham and Manchester City in the race to sign the Belgian wonder but are more advanced to seal his signature with an offer below £50m already on the table.

It is believed that West Ham are consequently more advanced as they can offer Doku regular first-team football but Premier League champions City are confident they can seal a deal to sign both the young forward and Lucas Paqueta.

Should that happen, it is possible that West Ham United do benefit through a loan for City’s Cole Palmer, according to the report.

Statement if Doku happens

With Manchester City and Tottenham also in the race to sign Doku, West Ham’s task to secure his signature is certainly a hard ask but this latest development certainly provides plenty of encouragement.

Should the Hammers trump City and Spurs in the race to sign the Belgian wonderkid, it represents a statement acquisition from the East Londoners which is incredible since the club were struggling to make transfer ends meet just a few weeks ago.

After the additions of Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse, the confidence within the West Ham hierarchy and recruitment team certainly seems to be increasing and a potential move for Doku certainly shows as much.

In the past 365 days, as per FBref, Doku has been one of the most decisive outlets in the attacking third, ranked in the top 1% for goals, successful take-ons, shot-creating actions, touches, progressive passes compared to midfielders, showing that he could be a shrewd addition in the final third for David Moyes.

However, with recent reports suggesting that Manchester City have already agreed terms with the 21-year-old forward [Sacha Tavolieri, 15 August], the Irons’ task to sign Doku just got a little more difficult. They may have to accept defeat.

In other West Ham news, a potential Chelsea hijack is on the cards in the Hammers’ pursuit of one leading European attacking midfield player.