West Ham & Derby County face Celtic threat for £4m World Cup star | OneFootball

The Hammers and Rams are reportedly locked in an exciting transfer battle

West Ham United's relegation from the Premier League to the Championship for the first time since 2012 has meant that transfer speculation has been rife at the London Stadium, both on the incomings and outgoings front.

Even though we are just a matter of days into the official 2026/27 campaign, the Hammers have already been earmarked as the early-season title favourites in the second tier under the management of Nuno Espírito Santo.

The 52-year-old Portuguese already has experience of lifting the Championship trophy from his days at Wolverhampton Wanderers, when a star-studded lineup was at his disposal.

It had been previously suggested that the East London club needed to generate in excess of £100m before considering a raft of incomings at the London Stadium, although talk of such a fee being needed has chilled significantly after the division's record sale for a player was recently confirmed, with Mateus Fernandes joining rivals Tottenham Hotspur for £85m.

The likes of Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen are just two more creative outlets who continue to be linked with moves away from E20, even though there has been optimism that the latter, who is also club captain, will stay.

Summerville, meanwhile, impressed for the Netherlands in the FIFA World Cup 2026 despite their round of 32 exit to Morocco, and clearly, the Irons' hierarchy have cast their eyes over potential new signings who have also starred in the tournament, with a new update emerging.

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Indeed, West Ham have been heavily linked with a glut of targets in forward areas in recent days, and that now includes Stoke City's Welsh international, Sorba Thomas.

Meanwhile, a report from TEAMtalk now states Nuno's men are facing a threat to acquire Egypt international, Emam Ashour, from Al-Ahly.

The publication have revealed that as many as three English sides have monitored the 28-year-old's recent progress, and they are divisional rivals, Derby County, who are looking to continue their recent upward trajectory and showcase further ambition under John Eustace, and Premier League outfit, Brighton and Hove Albion.

However, all three outfits could still lose out on the versatile performer's signature, which is said to be available for the sum of just £4m, with Scottish Premiership giants, Celtic, hoping that the lure of UEFA Champions League football under Martin O'Neill will be enough for them to emerge victorious in a bidding war.

Despite his natural position being in the centre of midfield, whether that is from deep or advanced, Ashour's versatility and goal threat were integral in Egypt's remarkable run to the World Cup's round of 16, where they were controversially defeated by holders, Argentina, in Atlanta on Tuesday evening.

He, of course, netted twice in five appearances at the tournament, scoring the Pharaohs' opening goal in the 1-1 draw with Belgium in Seattle on June 15th, as well as a close-range header against Australia in the round of 32, which was the nation's first ever knockout success in the World Cup as they came through 5-3 on penalties.

West Ham or Derby County could land a major coup with Emam Ashour transfer deal

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In 105 appearances for his current employers, Ashour has netted 35 goals and provided a further 25 assists, which showcases his creative spark that could help unlock Championship defences, particularly for West Ham, who are likely to have to get used to sides taking a strong defensive approach in home matches.

Some may also have reservations over the fact the Egyptian top-flight isn't of the same standard as the Championship, as well as the styles adopted by various sides in the two leagues.

That said, if Ashour was to continue brimming with confidence after his exploits across the Atlantic this summer, either the Irons or Derby could land a major coup for just £4m, and it could give them a significant one-up over rivals in the automatic promotion or play-off picture.