Why West Ham should plot a January swoop for Okay Yokuslu

Back in May, a report from the Football London had claimed that West Ham were interested in signing Celta Vigo midfielder Okay Yokuslu. But a move didn’t happen and the Turkey international has since stayed put at Celta Vigo.

Okay Yokuslu, 25, moved to Celta Vigo from Trabzonspor last summer and enjoyed a solid debut season in the La Liga, managing two goals in 32 appearances. He played a crucial role in helping his club avoid relegation from the La Liga.

After helping Celta maintain its top-flight status, the Turkish midfielder looks likely to stay put at Celta. With that in mind, West Ham should reignite their interest in Yokuslu and make an attempt to sign him in January.

After the 5-0 mauling at the hands of Manchester City in their season opener, West Ham have managed four points from their last two games. Manuel Pellegrini won his first game of the new campaign against Watford last weekend and he’ll hope that his side goes into the international break with another victory.

The opening couple of weeks would have given Pellegrini a lot to ponder and one worry for him will be the lack of depth in the midfield department.

In Declan Rice, Mark Noble, Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez, West Ham don’t exactly have the quality in midfield as well as the depth to compete with the top six.

Pellegrini did sanction Pedro Obiang’s sale but made a mistake by not signing a replacement during the summer transfer window. Well, the Chilean tactician could rectify his mistake by bringing in Okay Yokuslu in the New Year.

A highly-rated talent, Yokuslu is a calm presence in midfield, a player who can pass the ball around well, while also possessing a good tackling ability.

He has the energy, work-rate and desire to press and cover every blade of grass, while he can also move the ball around without much fuss. The 25-year-old is excellent in the air and is a player who can add a lot of tenacity and energy to the West Ham midfield.

Read More West Ham news, click here: West Ham latest news

The Turkey international could possibly be the perfect player to partner Rice in midfield, whilst being a long-term replacement for the ageing Noble. The ex-Trabzonspor man has all the required qualities to fit in Pellegrini’s system at West Ham.

Verdict

Turkey are starting to produce players of a higher calibre and Yokuslu is surely one of them. Thus, without any second thoughts, the Hammers must go all out to sign the holding midfielder when the transfer window reopens.