West Ham handed chance to sign Youssef En-Nesyri as Sevilla battle crippling £80m debt

West Ham have been handed the chance to reignite long-term interest in Sevilla frontman Youssef En-Nesyri, who won’t be travelling with his current club to Germany on Friday for two pre-season friendlies after being made available for transfer. The Europa League winners are currently battling crippling debts of around £80million and for that reason, they are willing to consider offers for the 26-year-old centre-forward, who has previously been courted by David Moyes on two separate occasions.

West Ham first saw a £27million proposal including add-ons rejected by Sevilla for the Moroccan international striker in January 2021 following Sebastien Haller’s £22m switch to Ajax.

The Hammers then returned to the table two years later this winter when they tried to entice Sevilla into a loan swoop which was rejected out of hand by the La Liga club as they continued to fight for survival following a turbulent start to the 2022/23 season.

En-Nesyri, who Sevilla claim is carrying a fitness issue, was instrumental for Morocco at the World Cup in Qatar, where he scored twice including a memorable headed winner against Portugal, as the Atlas Lions became the first ever African nation to reach the semi-finals.

The athletic attacker is now expected to depart Sevilla this summer alongside compatriot Yassine Bounou, who will also be absent for the trip to Germany, and clubs from Saudi Arabia are already exploring the possibility of a deal for the former Chelsea trialist.

But the door is currently open for other suitors to pounce and the situation could yet place West Ham on high alert given that they’re historical admirers of the player.

The Irons certainly aren’t short of cash either following the £105m club-record sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal and they are already showing signs of tenacity in the market after seeing a £45m offer for Joao Palhinha rebuffed by Fulham earlier this week.

Furthermore, changes to West Ham’s frontline are anticipated this summer with Gianluca Scamacca closely linked with a return to Italy following his underwhelming £35.5m switch from Sassuolo last summer.

The Italian, who netted the winner in his side’s 3-2 pre-season friendly victory over Tottenham in Perth on Tuesday, is thought to be keen on a return to his homeland even though West Ham are not totally convinced by the idea of letting him go – particularly on loan as floated.

Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto was recently in London for transfer discussions with Scamacca’s reps and other Serie A clubs including AC Milan and Champions League finalists Inter have also been linked with the 24-year-old in recent days.

Michail Antonio is also understood to be of interest to Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq and the 33-year-old Jamaica international could depart the London Stadium this summer having come close to an exit last summer.

Express Sport understands talks are yet to take place on a club-to-club level between West Ham and Al-Ettifaq, who are waiting to finalise the signing of Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson before pursuing other signings.

The Saudi Arabian outfit are also one of several clubs in the running to sign Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid as Gerrard targets the signing of an experienced forward.

West Ham are beginning to turn the screw in the transfer market and are also exploring a deal for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher following initial talks, even though he firmly remains part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans.

Gallagher would also like to stay at Chelsea but there is a sense he could be available for the right price with Tottenham also targeting the former Crystal Palace loanee.

A £14m deal for Manchester City talent Carlos Borges is also thought to be close while West Ham are also favourites to land Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse.

Chelsea striker Armando Broja is another player of long-term interest but the Albanian international wants to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place after returning to fitness from knee surgery. The same applies to left-back Ian Maatesen who netted twice for the Blues in the 5-0 win over Wrexham.

Meanwhile, Aaron Cresswell is the subject of talks with Wolves as they look to reunite the left-back with ex-Hammer Craig Dawson.

Cresswell recently saw his contract extended by a further year by West Ham but they are open to moving on the experienced defender and will command a fee of £5m.

Wolves initially outlined a willingness to pay around £2.5m but the two clubs could yet find a compromise agreement in the coming days.

Flynn Downes remains a top target for Southampton but it is currently unclear whether West Ham are willing to let him leave just one year after his £12m switch from Swansea.