What Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri has said on his…

What Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri has said on his future amid West Ham’s transfer interest

West Ham United have made Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri one of their top targets in this month’s January transfer window.

The 25-year-old Moroccan international played alongside Hammers centre-back Nayef Aguerd at the 2022 World Cup, having helped their country reach the semi-finals, being the first African side to get to the final four.

In the tournament, En-Nesyri started all seven matches for Morocco and scored two goals, netting in a group stage win over Canada and the winner in the quarter-finals against Portugal.

Goals have been an issue for the Hammers this season, with West Ham currently being the fourth lowest scorers in the Premier League this term, netting only 15 times from their 18 league matches.

football.london West Ham have made an approach to sign En-Nesyri on loan, a deal that potentially looked like a long shot due to Sevilla sitting 17th in the La Liga standings and only clear of the relegation zone by a single point.

While En-Nesyri has not scored in his 12 La Liga matches this term, he has only started four league games this season. Overall, he has scored five goals in 18 Sevilla matches this season, with two goals in the Champions League and three more in Copa Del Rey.

Reports have suggested that West Ham and Sevilla agreed on a deal to sign En-Nesyri on loan, but the striker was not keen to go as he looks to steer Sevilla away from a shock relegation which would see them drop out of the top flight for the first time in 22 years.

En-Nesyri has publicly spoken on his future and has said that his reasons for wanting to stay are not financial, insisting he is focussed on getting Sevilla into a safer position.

Youssef En-Nesyri of Morocco celebrates scoring the first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium (Youssef Loulidi/Fantasista/Getty Images)

"I thank all the clubs who've contacted my agent,” En-Nesyri posted on Instagram (via The Spanish Football Podcast on Twitter).

“Right now I want to focus on Sevilla. It isn't about money. It's a sporting matter, wanting to help the team in the worst moments. I had the chance to leave at other times and said no too."

Both West Ham and Sevilla sit 17th in the Premier League and La Liga respectively. The position is a shock for Sevilla, who will be in this year’s Europa League knockout rounds after finishing third in their Champions League group.

Sevilla are a side who have been more associated with European football than relegation, having played in one of Europe’s club competitions in 18 of the last 19 seasons.

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