Exclusive: West Ham Return With £9m Bid for Metz Starlet Alpha Touré

West Ham United have tabled a second bid to sign versatile midfielder Alpha Touré. 

With a January clear out on the cards at the relegation-battling Hammers, Nuno Espirito Santo is looking towards the future and building a squad capable of avoiding relegation. 

And among a list of players he has told the Hammers’ hierarchy to invest in, Metz’ midfielder Toure is one he highly desires. 

It is understood the east London clubs have seen an initial bid of around £5million turned down for the midfielder, who can also fill in at centre-back and left-back.

But the Hammers are pushing hard to get their man with an improved offer for the Senegalese starlet around £9million. 

The 19-year-old played at the 2023 U17 World Cup and is one of the brightest talents in the French top tier. 

Our sources understand Nuno sees the player as an ideal replacement for Guido Rodriguez.

It is understood personal terms should not be an issue, but Metz are against losing one of their key talents this window as they try to avoid relegation themselves.

SportsBoom sources recently reported that Lucas Paquetá has informed the club he wants to leave, with a return to Brazil his preferred destination, after Flamengo had a £30m bid rejected.

Tipped for the Top 

Metz have seen Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe move to the London Stadium for substantial fees this window and want to hold out for a decent fee for their Senegalese sensation. 

Toure is under contract at the Ligue 1 club until 2028 and Metz will not be pressurised to sell unless the price is right.

The youngster became a regular starter as the club earned promotion last season and scored in extra-time in their play-off against Reims to secure their Ligue 1 status. 

This term, Toure has made 17 league appearances for the relegation strugglers, who currently sit bottom and like West Ham are facing the dreaded drop.