West Ham set to lose out to Wrexham in transfer battle for €10m-rated star | OneFootball

West Ham are set to lose out to Wrexham in transfer battle for €10m-rated defender as an offer of £8 million is deemed enough...

West Ham United and Bundesliga outfit Hamburger SV are set to lose out to Wrexham in the race to sign Angers' left-back Jacques Ekomie.

West Ham United's player exits this summer, combined with the financial cushion of parachute payments, should still leave them capable of attracting a calibre of player beyond most Championship rivals. Wolves and Burnley have similar advantages, making them difficult to compete with in the market.

However, ambitious Wrexham are one of the exceptions. Their ownership, commercial growth, and willingness to invest mean they can compete for expensive, high-profile targets despite not receiving parachute money. That could allow Wrexham to go toe-to-toe with West Ham, Wolves and Burnley for certain players rather than simply accepting their place beneath the division's financial heavyweights.

Indeed, it appears as though Wrexham are now pushing hard to acquire a defender from under the noses of West Ham. It's previously been stated that Wrexham have reportedly bid around €5 million (£4.3 million) for Jacques Ekomie.

German Bundesliga side Hamburg have also expressed an interest in signing the Gabon international this summer. However, West Ham's interest in Ekomie to rival Wrexham has also emerged in the last few days.

It's been stated that Ekomie is valued at around €10 million instead. Also, Coventry City and Nottingham Forest have looked at the Angers defender, but it appears as though Wrexham are set to beat both West Ham and Hamburg to his signature.

Journalist Santi Aouna states a deal has been reached between Angers and Wrexham for Ekomie. The two clubs have reached an agreement for the transfer of the left-back and Hamburg couldn't match the offer to move to the Championship.

Jacques Ekomie can develop as a player alongside Wrexham

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According to Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports, Ekomie will cost Wrexham nearly £8 million and they are now ironing out the final details around the structure of the deal.

Ekomie has the potential to improve considerably at Wrexham, having established himself in Ligue 1 with Angers despite only turning 23 this week. His arrival would represent an immediate injection of top-flight quality into a Championship squad.

The main benefit is that there is also scope for him to develop further with regular football at the Racecourse. Wrexham's own ambitions could help that process, too. If the club continues progressing towards the Premier League, Ekomie could grow alongside them and potentially fulfil far more of his potential than he might elsewhere.

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Fans have taken to social media to react to the latest on Ekomie. One account on X said: "Great profile for the English Championship, I hope he'll perform well, he's a super player."