While the spectre of Chelsea looms over a striker with plenty of Premier League admirers, West Ham United are not ready to throw in the towel just yet in pursuit of Strasbourg talisman Emanuel Emegha.
Hammers News can confirm, via football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that one of the breakout centre-forwards of 2024/25 remains high on West Ham United’s summer wishlist.
Alongside the similarly Hammers-linked Dilane Bakwa, Emmanuel Emegha was the driving force behind Strasbourg’s successful European charge. The Netherlands Under-21 international scored 14 goals in 27 Ligue 1 starts as Liam Rosenior’s ambitious outfit qualified for the Conference League.
Bailey first revealed that Emegha was a West Ham target back in March. Since then, however, London rivals Chelsea appear to have stepped on the accelerator.
Chelsea would ideally like to bring Emegha to Stamford Bridge in 2026. The two-time European champions are hoping to use their Strasbourg connections – both clubs are owned by BlueCo – in an attempt to fight off competition for a centre-forward reportedly valued at around £20 million.
West Ham have not given up the ghost just yet, however, even if Emegha is far from the only talented attacker under consideration at the London Stadium.
West Ham are big fans of Chelsea target Emanuel Emegha
In an update given to Hammers News on Friday afternoon, Bailey confirms that West Ham ‘really like’ the former Sparta Rotterdam, Royal Antwerp and Sturm Graz youngster.
A rather rangy figure at 6ft 5in yet also one who moves with an eye-catching elegance, there are shades of Alexander Isak in Emmanuel Emegha.
Furthermore, with a top speed at 23.4 miles per hour, the so-called ‘Usain Bolt of Alsace’ was clocked as the fastest forward in France’s top flight ahead of the jet-heeled Paris Saint-Germain quartet of Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele.
“I’m a striker who scares all defenders,” Emegha told Telefoot after Strasbourg defeated PSG for the first time since 2017. “I can score with my left or right foot, I can score with my head and I’m fast.”
Galatasaray star Baris Alper Yilmaz is still a West Ham target
A few days ago, president Marc Keller insisted that Strasbourg are in no rush to sell Emmanuel Emegha.
This came after his opposite number at Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray made similar noises regarding the equally-coveted Baris Alper Yilmaz.
“We are not considering selling any of our players whose contracts are ongoing,” a bullish Dursun Ozbek said. “Our goals are big. Baris Alper is also a very valuable football player who has a share in our victories.”
Yet, Hammers News can reveal that West Ham have not been spooked by Ozbek’s determination to retain the Turkey speedster.
Reports from Turkey claim that West Ham saw a £21 million bid rejected by Galatasaray in January. The Istanbul outfit are allegedly holding out for £33 million.
Of course, with West Ham in no mood to spend big until they can raise funds first, they run the risk of being beaten to the punch when it comes to both Baris Alper Yilmaz and Emanuel Emegha.
In the biggest indication yet that his future may lie away from RAMS Park, meanwhile, Yilmaz admitted this month that he hopes to secure a move to a more high-profile competition at the age of 25.
“I really want to play in Europe,” Yilmaz said. “I would like to thank my club. We are here today thanks to them. “I hope my club approves [a move away] and everything goes well.
“I would love to play in Europe.”
