WEST HAM TO UNLEASH £7M LEFT-FOOTED WIZARD WHOSE STRIKES ARE SO INSANELY BEAUTIFUL THEY’LL MAKE GOALKEEPERS QUIT FOOTBALL FOREVER!

Manchester United’s interest in AFC Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo highlights a familiar transfer dilemma.

Spending around £60 million on another attacker when midfield reinforcements are clearly needed can seem illogical.

However, United appear to view Semenyo as a rare market opportunity — a player they must act on now or risk missing out on entirely.

West Ham United may be adopting a similar mindset with FC Utrecht’s Souffian El Karouani.

The Eredivisie’s leading assist provider has openly fuelled speculation about a move this week, making it clear he is ready for the next step.

Although West Ham are actively searching for a striker and remain in talks with Toulouse over Charlie Cresswell, growing interest in El Karouani from Marseille, Eintracht Frankfurt and Porto suggests the Hammers may need to move quickly to avoid losing him to a rival.

Former Netherlands international Rene van der Gijp believes the timing is right for the Dutch-born Moroccan to step up.

El Karouani has produced an impressive 15 assists from 29 matches across all competitions, underlining his reputation as an elite set-piece specialist.

While Malick Diouf has also excelled at left-back this season, El Karouani could arrive as a strong squad option and potential upgrade on Ollie Scarles rather than an automatic starter.

Van der Gijp is particularly impressed by El Karouani’s delivery, praising his left foot and warning that clubs may soon see him as a bargain, especially with his contract expiring next summer.

Although comparisons have been made with Owen Wijndal — who struggled after moving from AZ Alkmaar to Ajax — Van der Gijp insists El Karouani has the quality to succeed at the very top of Dutch football.

Reports suggest Utrecht were close to selling El Karouani for around £7 million last summer, and Dutch media now claim a move to West Ham could be approaching.

However, journalist Valentijn Driessen has expressed doubts, questioning both El Karouani’s defensive strengths and the wisdom of joining a Premier League side currently hovering near the relegation zone.

He believes a club like Porto would offer a safer platform.

For El Karouani, a move to a stronger league could significantly boost his chances of earning a place in Morocco’s World Cup squad.

While he remains open-minded about his future, the 25-year-old is clear that any transfer must benefit both himself and Utrecht, as he looks to leave the club on good terms after what he describes as a memorable year.