West Ham among clubs to make enquiries for George Ilenikhena as striker weighs next move

West Ham United have emerged as serious contenders in the race to sign Al-Ittihad striker George Ilenikhena, who remains cautious about rushing his next career move. The 19-year-old Nigerian forward, who impressed during a breakout 2023/24 season with Royal Antwerp in Belgium, has already attracted significant attention across Europe despite only joining the Saudi Pro League side earlier this year.

Ilenikhena’s journey has been one of early promise mixed with challenges. After his standout campaign at Antwerp, he secured a high-profile transfer to Monaco, where expectations were sky-high. However, his time in Ligue 1 fell short of projections, netting just five goals over 38 appearances. This led to Al-Ittihad swooping in during January to acquire the striker, convinced of his long-term potential and ready to invest in his development on Saudi soil.

Now, barely six months into his stint with Al-Ittihad, Ilenikhena is already drawing enquiries from clubs keen to lure him back to European football. Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri has confirmed that West Ham are among those who have officially made inquiries about the striker, alongside Italian side Genoa and German club Schalke. The Hammers see Ilenikhena’s pace and attacking prowess as valuable assets in their bid to bounce straight back to the Premier League.

Despite the mounting interest, Ilenikhena is taking a measured approach. Sources close to the player emphasize that he “won’t rush it” when deciding on his future, weighing his options carefully before committing to a move. This prudence could play into West Ham’s hands, especially as Al-Ittihad reportedly remain open to a loan arrangement with an option to buy. Such a deal would allow the London club to evaluate Ilenikhena’s impact firsthand without a large upfront financial commitment.

Competition for the 19-year-old’s signature will be fierce, with other clubs capable of offering top-flight football also circling. West Ham’s challenge will be to convince the striker that a move to the London Stadium aligns with his career ambitions and development goals.

As the summer transfer window unfolds, all eyes will be on Ilenikhena’s decision. His next destination could prove pivotal—not just for his trajectory but also for West Ham’s hopes of reinforcing their attack for an immediate return to England’s top flight.