West Ham could provide “strong competition” for the likes of Chelsea in the race to sign Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa this summer, according to reports.

The Hammers have been monitoring the young Frenchman’s performances this season and may consider bidding for the player, who is said to be valued at around €30m (£26m).

Bakwa is also attracting interest from other teams, including Newcastle, Brentford, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt and Marseille.

However, TBRFootball claim that West Ham, Chelsea and Tottenham are the 22-year-old’s likeliest destinations at the moment.

Why is Bakwa being targeted?

The France Under 21 international is a left-footed right winger which does raise questions about how high up he is on the list of West Ham’s transfer targets. The Irons are well stocked in that area with captain Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Luis Guilherme all available to head coach Graham Potter.

Even so, it is possible that both Kudus and Guilherme could leave the London Stadium over the coming months, with the pair attracting interest from the Middle East. In that context, it is understandable why the club’s recruitment team are looking at possible replacements.

A rival has a big advantage over West Ham

One factor that needs to be mentioned is Strasbourg’s ownership situation. They were bought by ‘Blueco’ in June 2023, which means they are a feeder club for Chelsea.

West Ham’s London rivals effectively have a first option on Bakwa. If he was allowed to move to the Hammers, it would suggest that the Blues don’t think he is good enough for them.

Based on the forward’s form this campaign, that is unlikely to happen. He has 13 goal contributions (4 goals and 9 assists) in 26 appearances for Strasbourg, who are riding high in the Ligue One table – currently sitting 6th.

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