Release clause news emerges as West Ham want to sign La Liga ace

West Ham United want to sign Almeria striker El Bilal Toure this summer after a £34.2m release clause in his contract emerged, according to Diario De Almeria (9 June).

The Hammers are looking to bolster their attacking options again this summer with the futures of Michail Antonio, Danny Ings and Gianluca Scamacca up in the air.

And after impressing in La Liga this season Toure has attracted interest from the likes of Everton, Brentford, Wolves, Burnley, Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus, making his €40m (£34.2m) release clause the price Almeria want to let him leave.

“In the entity from Almería they are aware of the interest that the erruption of the Malian striker has aroused in the Spanish League, becoming the top scorer of the Rojiblanco team with 7 goals in 21 games, and that its termination clause, set at 40 million after acquiring it as property from the Stade de Reims for an amount close to 10 million, is affordable for a championship of the English’s potential,” they wrote.

“The first approaches with the Rojiblanca sports management would already be taking place and since El Assy has never been reluctant to start conversations if the sale is considered productive, the first to put that amount on the table and have the approval of the agent of the player will probably get his services.”

Do better

Toure is clearly a talented young player with the ability to play out wide or through the middle, but is he really the answer to the problems West Ham have.

At most two of the current strikers are going to leave, meaning we need to bring someone in who can find the net reliably and regularly.

Toure has impressed but he managed just seven goals this season in 21 games and that isn’t really the type of record that is worth such a big fee.

We also have bigger priorities right now before they are sold, because if they end up staying then Toure really won’t be needed and we can put the money towards better players who can fill other areas.

There will be plenty of money spent this summer but it has to be spent properly, and the Hammers should probably avoid trying to bring in such an unproven talent for a big fee.