West Ham United have placed a bid exceeding €20 million for Georgian forward Georges Mikautadze, but they face competition from several French clubs. Mikautadze, eyed as a potential replacement for Michail Antonio, has caught the attention of Lyon, Lens, and Monaco. Despite West Ham’s substantial offer, the player currently prefers a move to another Ligue 1 club.
Following a notable performance in the Euros and a strong season with Metz, where he scored 13 goals in Ligue 1, Mikautadze has become a sought-after player. Journalist Alexis Bernard reports that West Ham’s bid is significantly higher than €20 million, yet the 23-year-old favors staying in France.
Mikautadze developed through Metz’s academy and moved to Ajax for €16 million last summer. After an unremarkable stint in the Netherlands, he returned to Metz on loan, leading to a €10 million permanent move. His impressive Euro 2024 performances have now made him a hot commodity in the transfer market.
West Ham, aiming to bolster their attack under new manager Julen Lopetegui, view Mikautadze as a solution to their goal-scoring challenges. The Hammers are keen to add attacking flair to their squad, complementing players like Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen.
In addition to Mikautadze, West Ham is looking to strengthen various positions. They have shown interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Reiss Nelson, and Diego Gomez, indicating a busy transfer window ahead as they prepare for the next season and aim to challenge for European spots.
Mikautadze’s Ligue 1 Statistics for 2023/24:
– **Appearances**: 20
– **Goals**: 13
– **Assists**: 4
– **Shots Per 90**: 2.83
– **Successful Take-Ons Per 90**: 2.16
– **Key Passes Per 90**: 1.08
