West Ham dealt ‘significant’ update over next £21m transfer plan

West Ham United’s pursuit of Metz striker Georges Mikautadze has hit a snag, according to French outlet Le10sport.

The Georgia international is reportedly only interested in joining a club that can offer him European football next season, which rules out West Ham after their ninth-place finish in the Premier League last term.This update is a significant blow to West Ham’s transfer plans, as they had identified Mikautadze as their next target after securing the signing of Max Kilman from Wolves for £40 million.

Julen Lopetegui’s side were believed to have submitted a serious bid of around £21 million, meeting Metz’s valuation of the player.Mikautadze’s desire for European football is understandable, given his impressive performances for Georgia at Euro 2024. The striker has already demonstrated his ability to excel on the big stage, and he will likely want to continue playing at the highest level possible.

West Ham’s failure to qualify for European competition next season means that they are no longer in the running for Mikautadze’s signature. Instead, AS Monaco and AS Roma have emerged as the frontrunners to recruit the talented forward.This development will come as a disappointment to West Ham fans, who had been excited about the prospect of Mikautadze joining the club. The striker’s ability to play across the front three and his impressive goal-scoring record in Ligue 1 had made him an attractive target for the Hammers.

However, West Ham will need to move on and explore other options to strengthen their attack. With the transfer window still open, there are plenty of other talented strikers available, and the club will need to act quickly to secure their target.

In the meantime, Mikautadze’s future remains uncertain. The striker will likely want to make a decision soon, as he looks to secure a move to a club that can offer him the European football he desires. Whether he ends up at Monaco, Roma, or another club altogether remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Georges Mikautadze is a talent that West Ham can no longer afford to pursue.