Norwich join chase for Anderlecht cruncher Kouyate

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling on Twitter

West Ham will have to fight off competition from three Premier League rivals if they want to sign Senegal defender Cheikou Kouyate, say the Times.

Big spending Norwich are the latest side to be linked with the defender, who yesterday declared himself open to a move to England, amid report interest from Newcastle, Southampton and the Hammers. French sides Lyon and Marseille are also said to be keen on Kouyate. 

Kouyate: I want Premier League move

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling on Twitter

Anderlecht star Cheikou Kouyate has admitted his desire to play in England, amid reported interest from a number of Premier League clubs including West Ham.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Senegal international said: "We are all ambitious. I want to move in my career- if I improve then big clubs from abroad will come in for me."

The powerful centre half attracted the attention of Arsenal last summer and has a number of English suitors a year on including the Hammers, Newcastle and Southampton.

Kouyate appeared to state a preference for a move to Tyneside but reiterated that he is keeping his options open, saying: "Newcastle could be great as well but let's see."

Hammers eye Anderlecht star

West Ham are said to be keeping an eye on Senegalese defender Cheikhou Kouyate, who has impressed for Belgian giants Anderlecht this season.

Boss Sam Allardyce is a long term admirer of the 23 year old and began keeping tabs on him after his impressive performances for his country in the Olympics in London last summer.

Reports in Belgium claim that Kouyate is set to leave the country this summer, with a number of clubs interested in acquiring his services.

The centre half's agent Tedir Bekir today confirmed interest from English clubs that are believed to include West Ham as well as their Premier League rivals Newcastle and Southampton.

He told La Derniere Heure: "I won't give any names, but Cheikhou has contact from clubs in the middle of the table in England."

"He hasn't made a choice yet. The right balance between the sporting challenge, family and finances has to be found."

Dynamo Kiev are the other club rumoured to be interested in Kouyate, who can also play as a defensive midfielder.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Dev Squad miss out on play offs

The West Ham Development Squad played their penultimate match in the Barclays U21 Premier League Elite Group Stage this afternoon against Southampton and despite a good start, a 5-2 defeat means that they have missed out on third place.

Elliot Lee continued his excellent vein of form and scored after four minutes from a Sean Maguire pass to put the Hammers ahead, but Southampton equalised 10 minutes later.

The sweltering weather on the South Coast didn’t make the match any easier for either set of players, but the pace of the game continued as Irons went 2-1 ahead after a Jack Stephens handball gave George Moncur the opportunity to score from the penalty spot.

A late and somewhat scruffy first-half equaliser from Southampton was a little scruffy ensured the sides went into the break on level terms.

A double substitution from Nick Haycock at half time introduced Taylor Miles and Frazer Shaw to the action in place of Dan Potts and Ben Marlow, but the second half did not bring the positives of the first.

Two defensive errors midway through the second half gave the home side their third and fourth goal of the game and heads dropped, as the Saints then made it 5-2 late on.

The Hammers now face bottom of the league West Brom in the rearranged fixture which will be their last of the season. They have missed out on third place in the league and the play-offs, which will disappoint the players and Haycock, but the ever changing squad can draw positives from this season.

We’ll get you some reaction on this heavy defeat as it comes through.

By Lucy Woolford, Youth and Development Squad reporter

@lucy_whufc