Why West Ham should beat Everton to the signing of Oussama Idrissi

According to Inside Futbol (h/t Liverpool Echo), West Ham and Everton have made an enquiry regarding the availability of Moroccan winger Oussama Idrissi, who currently plies his trade with AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie. 

Italian giants Roma have also been credited with an interest in the prolific 23-year-old winger, who is expected to command a transfer fee in the region of £17-20million. (Inside Futbol h/t Liverpool Echo)

Born in The Netherlands to parents of Moroccan descent, Idrissi spent time in the academies of NAC Breda, Feyenoord and Groningen before turning professional with the latter back in the 2015-16 season. 

The winger’s burgeoning reputation as a bright emerging prospect paved the way for the switch to Alkmaar in January 2018 and Idrissi has gone from strength to strength ever since.

The 4-cap Moroccan international, who registered 8 goals and 6 assists in 32 appearances for Alkmaar in the Eredivisie the last term, has already plundered 13 goals and 8 assists in 33 outings in all competitions so far this season. 

Idrissi also impressed in the group stages of the Europa League earlier in the campaign, scoring twice and assisting once in 6 appearances as Alkmaar progressed to the knockout rounds as runners-up behind Man United in Group L. 

Essentially a right-footed winger, Idrissi primarily operates down the left-hand side of the pitch but he is versatile enough to slot into a more conventional role on the right flank as well. 

As per whoscored, the Morrocan boasts of a pass success rate of 83, including 1.8 key passes, 3.1 long balls, 3.4 dribbles and 2.8 shots per game in the Eredivisie this term.

Meanwhile, West Ham continued their unimpressive run in the Premier League with a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Leicester City. The Hammers currently find themselves marooned 17th in the standings, just above relegation-threatened Bournemouth on goal difference.

Having scored just 27 goals and conceded 38 in 23 games so far, West Ham need to improve considerably at both ends of the pitch if they are to push on for a respectable finish. 

The injury to Felipe Anderson means that West Ham will now have to do without the services of the influential Brazilian winger for at least a month. The likes of Manuel Lanzini, Andriy Yarmolenko and Pablo Fornals have also struggled this term. 

Verdict

With fixtures set to come thick and fast, the Hammers would land an immediate game-changer if Idrissi manages to translate his blistering form in the Eredivisie to the English top-flight. 

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That being said, West ham beating off competition for Everton in the race to sign Oussama Idrissi could pay off handsomely for their long-term plans moving forward.