West Ham are weighing up a move for AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori amid a failed bid to land former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.
The Hammers, under new boss Julen Lopetegui, saw their shock £15million bid for the Al-Ittihad star rebuffed last week. Kante, 33, is thought to be happy in Saudi Arabia but could be tempted by a move back to the Premier League.
It is believed Lopetegui wanted to sign the midfielder during his spell at Real Madrid but a deal never came to fruition. A potential move to West Ham would end Kante’s stay in Saudi Arabia having joined Al-Ittihad on a two-year-deal worth £172m after leaving Chelsea upon the expiry of his contract in the summer of 2023.
Meanwhile, the London club are considering a move for another former Blues star following his promising campaigns in Serie A with the Rossoneri.
The 26-year-old defender has made 142 appearances for Milan since his £24m move in 2021.
Al-Ittihad rejected West Ham’s opening offer of £15m for midfielder N’Golo Kante last week
Former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori is of interest to the Hammers in this summer window
Tomori, who has been capped five times at international level, was not considered for Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 England squad, despite impressive showings in the Italian top-flight.
He helped the side clinch the Serie A title in his debut season under former head coach Stefano Pioli. The change of manager at the club could see a shift in Tomori’s position at the club.
He acknowledged that the arrival of Paulo Fonseca will bring it changes to the side.
‘A lot is changing. Obviously, there is a new coach, we have new ideas and a good atmosphere. We are working hard and are excited right now.’
West Ham came close to signing Tomori on loan in 2020 but the defender rejected the chance to move to the club just minutes before the end of the transfer window.
He revealed that he decided to stay at Stamford Bridge to further his development.
Speaking on the Chelsea Mike’d Up podcast in 2020, Tomori said: ‘I had a plan going into this season going off the back of last season.
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is hoping to secure a deal for the French star this summer as he looks to improve the squad
‘Obviously, in football, things change so quickly so I wanted to make sure whatever decision I made was really thought out and to try and do what’s best for me.
‘I made the decision in the end to stay, to improve more, get some more games, gain some more experience and try and get to the levels I was at last season.