David Sullivan could deliver West Ham United the Premier League’s new Thierry Henry by edging out Arsenal to sign Slavia Prague forward Abdallah Sima.
What’s the word?
According to Eurosport, the two London clubs have shown the most interest in a move for Sima ahead of the summer transfer market.
The capital rivals are among a clutch of various clubs to have instructed scouts to weigh up a move for Sima after his eye-catching performances in the Europa League and the Fortuna Liga this season.
Should West Ham sign Slavia Prague’s Sima?
Yes, he’d be perfect
No, he isn’t good enough
Juventus are also monitoring the 19-year-old’s situation after identifying the teen sensation as a potential future star, whilst the Serie A giants line up options to form their offensive line for at least the next few years.
Sima only made his senior Slavia Prague debut in September but already boasts 15 goals and six assists in 28 appearances across all competitions, including their second to eliminate Leicester City from the Europa League in the round of 32.
Scouts from across Europe are on Sima’s case as the Senegal international – who made his Lions of Teranga debut last month – has displayed mesmerising ability with the ball at his feet through a direct and stylish nature.
Arsenal are set to gain first-hand knowledge of the teenager’s potential having been drawn to face Jindrich Trpisovsky’s men in the quarter-finals. An impressive showing from the young forward is expected to see Mikel Arteta’s side firm up their interest.
Slavia Prague chairman Jaroslav Tvrdik recently claimed that it would take offers in the region of €20m-25m (£17m-21.5m) to sell Sima in the summer, as the funds would help set up the Cervenobili for the next five years.
Should West Ham sign Slavia Prague’s Sima?
Sullivan and the West Ham hierarchy would be banking millions on Sima based on a single season of first team football, but his potential almost knows no limits and he has clearly not been afraid to take on the toughest opponents he has faced.
As well as scoring against Leicester, Sima struck home and away against Nice in the Europa League group stage. He also won each of his three ground duels away to the Foxes and six of 13 over both round of 16 ties with Rangers, taking his average to 2.9 a game and with a 48% success rate in the Europa League, per SofaScore.
It has been no wonder that pundits have been awash with praise for the youngster, with Brian Laudrup telling the Daily Mail last month, via quotes shared by Glasgow Live: “Sima, in particular, is a wonderful player.
“He is only 19 years of age, but is very good in the air and can take players on. He’s quick and is scoring for fun in the Czech league. He maybe wasn’t at his best in the first-leg [vs Rangers] but if he reaches top form, it’s going to be a tough night for [Steven] Gerrard’s defence.”
Sima has also been dubbed the ‘Senegalese Henry’ having often been forced to play on the wing rather than his preferred centre-forward role, but the 6 ft 2 attacker cuts inside to great effect akin to the Arsenal icon.
The chance to follow in the footsteps of Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal – who both left Slavia Prague before Sima’s breakthrough – by moving to the Premier League with West Ham could prove attractive for the forward, and it is something Sullivan should certainly explore.
AND in other news, West Ham land boost in £17m race to sign “one of the finest footballers” who was David Moyes’ dream target in 2020…