With the likes of Joan Jordan, Andre Gomes and Jonjo Shelvey linked with a move to West Ham United this summer, it’s clear that the midfield is an area to watch this summer. With that in mind, links with a move for Ilay Elmkies should be looked upon as fairly as exciting.
The Hoffenheim midfielder was compared to Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara by Bundesliga UK in a profile piece on the Israeli playmaker last season, and after an impressive season where Elmkies scored three and assisted four in the development leagues and tournaments in both Germany and Europe, the 19-year-old has caught the eye of some of the Premier League elite, and West Ham.
The Sun report that, as well as the Hammers, Manchester United and Manchester City are interested in the teenage playmaker, who only has one year left on his deal at Hoffenheim and could be available for as little as £2.5 million this summer.
An Israel U-19 international, Elmkies put his name on the radars of both scouts and fans of youth football this season against Manchester City in the UEFA Youth League, where Elmkies scored the fifth goal in what was to be a 5-2 win for Hoffenheim.
With a fee as little as £2.5 million being reported as all it will take for the Hammers to lure the midfielder to east London, this should be a deal the club should be trying to get over the line ahead of the likes of Man City and United.
Declan Rice showed last season what can happen when youth are given the chance to play in the West Ham first-team as the academy player blossomed into a vital player for the Irons given the number of starts the 20-year-old made for the club last season, as well as becoming an England international, and for Elmkies, the Israeli could be the next youngster to make a name for himself in east London if given the chance by Manuel Pellegrini.
West Ham fans, would you take Elmkies this summer? Let us know!
