West Ham would be taking a big risk signing Christian Kouamé from Genoa

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West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Genoa striker Christian Kouamé this summer.

That’s according to Calciomercato, who say the Hammers are one of two Premier League teams chasing him – the other being Everton.

The report claims that Genoa chairman Enrico Preziosi has set an asking price of €30m (£25.8 million) for the Ivory Coast international, with both teams willing to part with the cash.

Kouamé joined Genoa last year after catching their attention whilst playing for Serie B outfit Cittadella.

The 21-year-old is a promising talent, but has not been playing at the top level for very long, which makes such links to West Ham and Everton a surprise.

TBR’s view

For West Ham this would be a rather risky signing.

Potentially they could lose any of their four strikers this summer, and to splash £25.8 million on an unproven youngster could be foolish – even if he wasn’t to be the only attacking incoming.

Kouamé has good potential but at the moment he probably isn’t quite ready to make the jump to the Premier League.

In 29 appearances so far for Genoa, he has managed just four goals and seven assists.

West Ham did some excellent business last summer and it’s clear there is a new found ambition at the club with Manuel Pellegrini in charge.

But a move for Kouamé at such a price would be a huge risk and arguably not one worth taking for a team that will be targeting Europe next term.