West Ham Show Renewed Interest in £15m Striker Target

West Ham United are once again exploring the possibility of signing Lyon striker Georges Mikautadze, according to reports. The Hammers had previously attempted to acquire the Georgian international last summer before he joined Lyon.

Manager Julen Lopetegui is keen to bolster his attacking options for the remainder of the 2024/2025 campaign. While West Ham may need to sell players first to fund new signings, they are actively looking to bring in a new center-forward when the transfer window opens in January.

Mikautadze impressed at Euro 2024, finishing as one of the tournament’s top scorers. His performances caught West Ham’s eye, with the club reportedly making an offer for him before Lyon secured his signature.

Lyon’s current financial difficulties, stemming from their provisional relegation to Ligue 2, may force them to offload players. This situation has reignited West Ham’s interest in the 24-year-old striker.

However, the Hammers face competition from Galatasaray, who have already opened talks and submitted a £14 million bid for Mikautadze. While this offer falls short of Lyon’s valuation, it indicates serious interest from the Turkish club.

Time appears to be of the essence for West Ham, as Mikautadze has reportedly agreed personal terms with Galatasaray. To hijack the deal, the London club may need to act swiftly and potentially offer a fee exceeding the £15 million Lyon initially paid for the striker last summer.

As West Ham look to strengthen their squad for the second half of the season, Mikautadze remains an intriguing target. His goal-scoring prowess and potential availability make him an attractive option as Lopetegui seeks to add firepower to his frontline.