West Ham reportedly table offer for 23-year-old, Kanoute lauded him in 2020

Add as preferred source on Google

West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri but have seen a bid rejected for the in-form star as they look to replace Seb Haller – and Freddy Kanoute is excited at his enormous potential.

En-Nesyri, 23, has been in stunning form this campaign. He has netted 12 goals in 25 outings for Sevilla in what is his first full season with the La Liga side – having joined Julian Lopetegui’s side from Leganes in January.

The Athletic have claimed that West Ham have tabled a £27million offer – £22.5million up front and £4.5million in add-ons – but a move was rejected by Sevilla. It remains to be seen if the Hammers will return for a second offer.

Indeed, they should if they heed Kanoute’s verdict on the Sevilla ace. Speaking to Goal in the summer, Kanoute picked the forward when asked which African he was looking forward to watching during the 2020-21 campaign.

“I would say En-Nesyri,” Kanoute told Goal in June,  on which African players he was looking forward to watching. He is an exciting player. He is tall, quick and agile, in spite of his height. Hopefully, he is going to score many goals.”

TBR’s view – En-Nesyri would be class for West Ham

But clearly Sevilla want a figure that is verging on too expensive. The Hammers offer was a good one, but the East Londoners would have to exceed £30million to nab his signature. Would he start? Unlikely.

Michail Antonio is crucial to the Hammers and although En-Nesyri can rival the ex-Nottingham Forest man – David Moyes is likely to give preference to Antonio. It means that £30million for a second-choice striker is too much.