da heads bet： Although the 2015/16 campaign has certainly served to excite all those satisfied spectators down at Upton Park for the vast majority of the current domestic season, the fun seemingly won’t end for West Ham over the coming summer months, with several reported Hammers targets likely to be in action for their nation across Euro 2016.
da dobrowin： In light of this summer’s highly anticipated international tournament then, we’ve decided to take a closer look at five rumoured transfer options Hammers fans should be keeping a keen eye on over the upcoming competition…
Michy Batshuayi
West Ham’s reported interest in Ligue 1 striking sensation – Michy Batshuayi – could easily go down as one of the worst kept secrets among the English top-flight this season.
The money-men behind the scenes at Upton Park clearly aim to push the boat out on a marquee centre-forward throughout the summer transfer window, and if the rapidly emerging 22-year-old enjoys a tournament to remember at Euro 2016, perhaps Batshuayi really could be their man.
The powerful Belgian international isn’t expected to play a starting role for Marc Wilmots’ side at this summer’s competition, but as the current Marseille favourite is certainly worthy of giving both Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke a strong run for their money at Euro 2016, both of the aforementioned Premier League strikers need to be at their very best in order to successfully keep Michy Batshuayi out of the team.
Alexandre Lacazette
Yet if the Hammers nonetheless fail in their rumoured quest for Michy Batshuayi this summer, then Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette would subsequently represent the next best option for West Ham.
The former Liverpool and Arsenal target has certainly dropped off the boil somewhat this season, but via his overall ability inside the final third, this is one striker who could definitely serve to improve Slaven Bilic’s current squad ahead of the new season.
Lacazette is somewhat quick on the turn when running at rival defenders, his natural striker’s instincts in and around the opposition’s penalty box remain top class even at the worst of times – yet as France play host to some of the most well established attacking talent in the whole of world football at the moment – the 24-year-old Lyon man may not feature quite as much at Euro 2016 as initial appearances may first make out.
Alen Halilovic
Whilst Barcelona’s 19-year-old Croatian sensation may indeed fail to represent the most illustrious name likely to be staking their claim at Euro 2016 this summer, this attacking midfielder could seemingly develop into one of the standout players of his entire generation.
Euro 2016 may admittedly arrive slightly too early for someone of Alen Halilovic’s young age to successfully carve out an exciting reputation for himself – but as Slaven Bilic will know far more about his highly-rated countryman – perhaps it really is only a matter of time before the Hammers finally make their long awaited move.
Gokhan Tore
Another high profile summer transfer target for West Ham fans to watch out for arrives in the form of current Besiktas winger and Turkish international, Gokhan Tore.
The former Chelsea youngster has certainly excelled in the Turkish game this season, and could theoretically look to reunite with Slaven Bilic among the Premier League next term.
Although the attacker experienced his fair share of off-field problems throughout his career thus far, Gokhan Tore remains a distinct goal-scoring and creative threat inside the final third, with a presence that certainly wouldn’t go amiss alongside both Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
…And whilst this last reported West Ham target to look out for at Euro 2016 arguably remains the most unlikely prospect of the entire bunch, maybe…just maybe…the Hammers actually have what it takes to land Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The notorious Swedish international is bound to excite at Euro 2016 one way or another, but as the former Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan and Ajax striker nonetheless looks set to part ways with PSG this summer, the Premier League represents a likely destination for the 34-year-old.
Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic may not go down as West Ham’s first choice striking acquisition, which right-minded Hammers fan would really turn down the prospect of landing such a legend in their team’s first ever season at the Olympic Stadium?