West Ham lining up move for Besiktas captain Oguzhan Özyakup

Premier League outfit West Ham are lining up a summer move for Besiktas captain Oguzhan Özyakup, according to Fanatik (via Sport Witness).

The 24-year-old midfielder played a key part in helping his side win the Turkish Super Lig last season, netting five goals and laying on seven assists to inspire Slaven Bilic’s former employers to back-to-back title successes, finishing four points clear of Istanbul Basaksehir.

And with 27 goals and 42 assists in 182 appearances for the club, the Turkey international has been one of their standout performers since moving there in 2012 from Arsenal, and has thus attracted interest from around Europe.

And recent reports suggest that ex-Besiktas chief Bilic is looking to reunite with Özyakup at West Ham this summer, as the Croat attempts to improve his side’s fortunes in next term’s Premier League.

The Hammers struggled to an 11th place finish in the top-flight last term, with both their attacking ranks and defensive options coming under fire at times throughout the campaign, so it’s clear that reinforcements are needed in several areas to get the club back near the seventh place they secured back in 2015/16.

And having sent scouts to watch the 24-year-old last term, it’s obvious that Bilic is a fan of Özyakup, and with the £10.2 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) reportedly interested in joining the Hammers, this a deal that could very well happen over the coming weeks and months.