West Ham boost as agent of Kylian Mbappe-like striker urges £10m-plus Premier League switch
Comparisons with Kylian Mbappe should always be taken with a pinch of salt but, as West Ham United look to finally break that long-running striker curse, Moussa Sylla would be welcome even if he possesses only a fraction of the Real Madrid superstarâs talent.
According to reports which emerged in February, West Ham have held discussions with the Schalke forwardâs representatives already
They are not alone in doing so, either.
AFC Bournemouth saw a £10 million bid rejected by Schalke in the winter. His agent talks up rumoured interest from Belgian giants Club Brugge and Manuel Pellegriniâs Real Betis, while other claims have suggested that Sylla has been offered to both Liverpool and Manchester United in an attempt to drum up interest.
Though Moussa Sylla can manage that himself, of course.
While scoring in Schalkeâs 2-1 defeat to Kaiserslautern last weekend, the Monaco academy graduate and now-West Ham United target took his tally to 16 goals for the season in Germanyâs second tier. One more, and the 2024/25 campaign will become the most prolific of his young career.
Niclas Fullkrug earned some belated admirers at West Ham, albeit perhaps more for his forthright opinions than any on-pitch contributions.
But if the former Dortmund targetman lacks the turn of pace to truly make his mark on the Premier League stage, than a shortage of speed is not something which could be levelled at the jet-heeled Sylla.
Agent wants Premier League move for West Ham United target Moussa Sylla
The official Bundesliga website are the authors of those Kylian Mbappe comparisons. While no one is expecting similar returns from Sylla, the one-time FC Utrecht man does share his fellow Monegasque graduateâs âsearing paceâ and devastating movement in behind.
Itâs fair to say he will not be short of offers when the window opens.
Though, Syllaâs agent Ahmet Ersoy admits that the Premier League would be his chosen destination, even if the player himself is likely to have the final say.
âRegarding his various club options, my preference is for England,â Ersoy explains, albeit while not closing the door to any of West Hamâs rival suitors.
âIâve also seen that Club Bruges and Real Betis are interested. I would advise him to seize these opportunities. These clubs represent excellent career choices.
âWith his current season, he can aim higher than the second-tier clubs. If he works hard, he can take a step up by joining these clubs.â
Sylla would bring a âunique styleâ to Graham Potterâs West Ham
Youri Mulder, a director at Schalke and a former Dutch international, sees shades of Bayern Munich icon Roy Makaay in 25-year-old Sylla. He also admits to being a little âworriedâ about the extent of the interest heading into the summer, in the knowledge that Schalke will be in no position to offer top-flight football next term.
The fallen giants of Germany are sitting 13th in the Bundesliga.2 table.
âIâm not surprised by Moussa Syllaâs suitors,â adds Ersoy. âHe has a very unique style of play. Heâs a fast-paced guy, heâs skilled in front of goal, and he can carry a team single-handedly. Heâs a rare talent, as he can play across the entire attacking line, which is an asset in itself.
âI think his next team will be of a very high level with such individual performances the clubs normally flock to him.â
