West Ham United may have the opportunity to sign a highly talented attacker during the January transfer window.
Graham Potter, now at the helm following his replacement of Julen Lopetegui, must prioritize strengthening the team’s attacking options before the window closes.
This month has already seen significant changes at the London Stadium, with recruitment guru Kyle Macaulay set to join from Chelsea, replacing Tim Steidten.
While much of the transfer speculation has centered around West Ham’s pursuit of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, the club seems to be exploring a wide range of potential targets.
One key point is clear: failing to bolster the forward line before the window shuts is not an option. Continuing into the second half of the season with the current squad could make the road ahead far more challenging.
Among the potential targets, Baris Alper Yilmaz has emerged as a standout candidate. West Ham reportedly submitted a £25 million bid for the Galatasaray star just days ago.
Yilmaz, an exceptional 24-year-old winger, would bring significant quality to the team, and his age suggests he has plenty of room to develop over the next few years.
However, according to Haber Sarikirmizi, West Ham would need to raise their offer to £34 million to secure Yilmaz’s signature.
While this seems a reasonable price for such a talented forward, the club’s top priorities should still include signing a proven center-forward, a powerful box-to-box midfielder, and a reliable center-back during this transfer window.
Big problem with West Ham signing Yilmaz for £34 million
Yilmaz has been on West Ham’s radar for a while, with reports suggesting the club held talks with his agent over the summer regarding a potential move.
The Turkish international is undeniably a special talent. Praised as “incredible” by beIN SPORTS, the Galatasaray forward appears to have all the attributes needed to thrive in the Premier League with the Hammers.
This season, Yilmaz has netted 10 goals in 19 Super Lig appearances and is versatile enough to play on either wing or as a central striker. He boasts exceptional pace, remarkable technical skill, and a clinical finishing ability.
Securing Baris Alper Yilmaz for £34 million during the January transfer window would be an excellent deal for any club that lands him. However, I believe West Ham have more urgent priorities this winter than signing another winger.
Graham Potter’s focus should be directed elsewhere to address the team’s more critical needs.
