---
title: "West Ham United: Journalist drops exciting Hammers transfer claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-journalist-drops-exciting-hammers-transfer-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-06-19T18:10:51Z"
modified: "2021-06-19T18:10:51Z"
---

# West Ham United: Journalist drops exciting Hammers transfer claim

**Writing on[Twitter](https://twitter.com/Walid_Elmechri/status/1405625495845281795), Tunisian journalist Walid Elmechri has made a rather exciting West Ham United transfer claim involving FC Koln midfielder Ellyes Skhiri.\**

### The Lowdown: Hammers set for busy summer?

[Claret & Hugh](https://www.claretandhugh.info/candh-exclusive-moyes-wants-three-positions-filled/) explained that West Ham have three priorities firmly on the agenda in a permanent deal for Jesse Lingard, new centre-back and star striker, but reports have still emerged in regards to other possible signings.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”359260″\]

Indeed, not so long ago, the Irons were heavily linked with Czech Republic international and Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral and talks were even thought to be at an advanced stage ([Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-west-ham-in-advanced-talks-to-sign-kral-for-20m/)).

While that has failed to materialise so far, other sources suggest that central midfield players are on the agenda for West Ham.

More recently, [reports have claimed](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Calciomercato/Juventus/16-06-2021/calciomercato-juve-ramsey-titoli-coda-crystal-palace-west-ha-destinazioni-possibili-4102023987792.shtml) the Irons may even move for ex-Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey.

### The Latest: West Ham enter talks for Skhiri…

As per Tunisian journalist Elmechri, writing on his [social media](https://twitter.com/Walid_Elmechri/status/1405625495845281795), West Ham have now commenced negotiations with FC Koln for Skhiri but face competition from La Liga giants Sevilla.

[West Ham latest!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest/)

In a rather exciting claim, the reporter even says that both clubs are ‘very close’ to signing him after Koln rejected an €8 million (£6.8m) from Lyon.

“FC Koln management rejected Olympique Lyonnais’ offer (8 M € ),” explained the journalist on [Twitter.](https://twitter.com/Walid_Elmechri/status/1405625495845281795)

“Ellyes is very close to joining one of these two clubs: Sevilla FC or West Ham which have started negotiations with the German club.”

### The Verdict: Exciting…

This comes as a pretty exciting claim given Ellyes’ head-turning numbers over the 20/21 season.

He was a mainstay for Koln in the Bundesliga last year, starting [32 matches](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/238903/Show/Ellyes-Skhiri), and it’s safe to say he was a colossal presence in defensive midfield.

According to [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/238903/Show/Ellyes-Skhiri), the 26-year-old made more tackles (2.6) and interceptions (2.6) per 90 in the German top flight than any West Ham player managed last season in the Premier League ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/29/Show/England-West-Ham)).

He can also get forward on occasion, scoring [five goals and assisting two others](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/238903/Show/Ellyes-Skhiri) last campaign, marking him out as a seemingly perfect alternative to Kral in that position.

***In other news: West Ham now want to sign this towering forward who will push to leave this summer, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-transfer-rumours/west-ham-united-hammers-now-want-ukraine-star-roman-yaremchuk/)***