Now that the Premier League season is over for another few months, our only opportunities to rival the likes of Tottenham Hotspur will be for matters off the pitch, and it seems that is precisely what the club are planning.
Turkish Football are reporting that a source close to Okay Yokuslu has revealed that both Spurs and us are showing interest in the Celta Vigo defensive midfielder, but any move would pip either against sides from across Europe.
Unnamed Premier League clubs are also said to have scouted Yokuslu over the course of the season, following his summer switch from the Super Lig to La Liga in 2018.
The 25-year-old hit the ground running after joining the Celticos for €8million (£7m), too, with Turkish Football noting that he has been named the Spanish top-flight’s Player of the Month twice, and has developed his passing range since leaving Trabzonspor.
Despite being 6 ft 2, they add that Yokuslu is a ‘hard-working central midfielder that likes to get stuck in’ and impresses with his technical ability in possession, but concede he is ‘not all brawn’.
They do not, however, claim how much a move would set anyone back if they were to open negotiations following his strong first season at the Balaidos, but you’d imagine it would be more than his TransferMarkt valuation of £9million.
Yokuslu also has four years remaining on his £29,767-a-week contract and scored two goals in La Liga this term.
Defensively, the 21-cap Turkey international has also registered 2.6 successful tackles per ninety in La Liga, as well as an average 1.6 interceptions, 2.1 clearances, and 56.8 passes while only committing a foul every 50.4 minutes.
Should the board like what they see in the Izmir-born anchor, it could be the break Pedro Obiang has been craving, with the Alcala de Henares, Spain-born ace reportedly desperate to leave East London this summer.
It has been said the £55,000-a-week Equatorial Guinea international is keen to find a new challenge for himself after starting just 16 games for the Hammers following Manuel Pellegrini’s arrival.
If a bid comes in for Obiang, and the price is right when it comes to Yokuslu, Mario Husillos may have the perfect one out, one in option, providing he can get our name to the front of the queue.
