West Ham agree £12million fee to sign former Chelsea youngster Gokhan Tore from Turkish champions Besiktas
Flamboyant winger on his way back to Premier League as Slaven Bilic lands top target after failing with January bid
WEST HAM are set complete the £12million signing of Besiktas ace Gokhan Tore, according to reports.
The talented winger has been a long-term target for Slaven Bilic, who saw a £7.4m offer rejected in January.
And Turkish media outlet Holigan claims that Tore is on his way to the Olympic Stadium after a £12m fee was agreed between the two clubs.
The report adds that West Ham will confirm the transfer shortly, with Tore set to be handed the No.7 shirt by his new boss.
The 24-year-old will add more width, pace and trickery to Bilic’s highly-rated squad, and could make his debut in the Europe League third qualifying round which takes place in late July.
Tore, who has 26 caps for Turkey, is no stranger to the Premier League, having spent two years with West Ham’s fierce rivals Chelsea.
Despite becoming a key man for the Blues’ Under-21s side, Tore was unable to break into the senior squad and ended up at German side Hamburg alongside fellow Chelsea youngsters Jacopo Sala and Michael Mancienne in 2011.
An ill-fated stint with Russian outfit Rubin Kazan saw him join Besiktas on loan in 2013, with his impressive performances earning a permanent move in the summer of 2014.
Tore has since become an important player for the Turkish giants, helping lift the Super Lig title ahead of Fenerbahce this season with four goals and six assists in 24 appearances.
Tore’s impending transfer could spell the end of West Ham’s interest in Arsenal duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott.
The Hammers are also believed to be closing in on a deal for ex-Gunner Havard Nordtveit, who will join on a free transfer after leaving Borussia Monchengladbach.
A new striker is also on the cards for Bilic, who has made Liverpool’s Christian Benteke his top target after failing with a £31m bid for Lyon ace Alexande Lacazette.