West Ham are expected to make a follow-up bid for Metz midfielder Alpha Toure, according to journalist Angelo Salemi.

The Republicain Lorrain reporter has close ties to the French club, and he revealed on his X account that “several” teams are pursuing the 19-year-old. Eredivisie side Feyenoord are among the suitors, along with the Hammers. Both have tabled offers but Salemi says Nuno Espirito Santo’s team are ready to go back in with another proposal:

“Several clubs are indeed very interested in Alpha Toure. Feyenoord has made an offer and West Ham is preparing a second one to sign the young Senegalese midfielder.

It was reported by L’Equipe at the weekend that West Ham had a €7m (£6m) bid rejected by Metz.

What do West Ham fans need to know about the player?

Traore has been at Metz since moving from Senegal on a free transfer at the start of last season. He had impressed whilst playing for his country at the Under 17 World Cup in 2023.

He is a holding midfielder by trade, although he can be deployed at left-back if required. By the end of the 2024/25 campaign, he had established himself as a regular starter in Metz’s first team.

Traore has been part of a struggling side that currently sits bottom of Ligue One, and that may raise concerns over whether he is ready for a relegation battle in the Premier League.

It seems Traore has been earmarked for the future

You do wonder why the Irons are pushing to sign the teenager now, especially when you consider that the club has a limited transfer budget.

Traore may have potential but the £8m to £10m that could potentially be needed to snap him up could be put to better use. Nuno desperately needs a centre-back, and if Lucas Paqueta also leaves, a playmaker will be required too.

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