West Ham United are intensifying their efforts to acquire a new striker before the upcoming Premier League season, with reports indicating the club has made an approach to sign Galatasaray forward Baris Alper Yilmaz. This follows Yilmaz’s impressive performances for Turkey in the recent European Championship.
The Hammers experienced a challenging season last year, failing to secure European competition for the 2024/25 campaign. With the departure of David Moyes and the arrival of Julen Lopetegui as the new manager, the club has already been active in the transfer market, securing deals for Luis Guilherme and Max Kilman. According to Turkish news outlet Sabah, Yilmaz could be the next addition to the squad.
Despite earlier statements from Galatasaray’s chief, Ibrahim Hatipoglu, asserting that Yilmaz was not for sale, the striker’s strong showing at Euro 2024 has attracted attention from clubs across Europe. West Ham is among those interested, shifting their focus from former target Wilfried Zaha to Yilmaz due to his international performances.
The Premier League side is reportedly preparing to make an offer for Yilmaz in the coming days, with the proposed fee around €35 million, which is approximately £29 million. Yilmaz, 24, is expected to return from international duty next week and is reportedly enthusiastic about the possibility of continuing his career in the Premier League.
However, Galatasaray is reportedly reluctant to sell Yilmaz. The club plans to build their campaign around him as they aim to secure their third consecutive Turkish Super Lig title. Galatasaray’s determination to retain Yilmaz was also evident in their decision not to pursue Oguz Aydin, who ultimately joined their rivals, Fenerbahce. Yilmaz’s exceptional abilities have been widely recognized, adding to the club’s hesitation to let him go.
Another factor complicating a potential transfer is the involvement of Yilmaz’s former club, Ankara Keciorengucu. They hold a 20 percent sell-on clause for Yilmaz, which would entitle them to a share of any future transfer fee. While they could sell this clause for €3 million (approximately £2.55 million), Galatasaray’s intention to keep Yilmaz remains strong, making the transfer negotiations complex.
In summary, while West Ham United is keen on signing Baris Alper Yilmaz to strengthen their attacking options, they face significant challenges in convincing Galatasaray to part with their star striker. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Hammers can secure this key transfer.
