West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has confirmed his interest in Atiba Hutchinson and Gokhan Tore to Turkish broadcaster Lig Tv after Croatia’s 1-0 win over Turkey on Sunday..
Bilic managed both players during his time at Besiktas, and wants to add strength in depth to his West Ham side with the club’s participation in Europe next season.
Hutchinson is likely to be used as a holding midfielder, although he can play at right-back. The Canadian will add experience to the squad at the age of 33.
Tore is a more exciting prospect, a Turkish international winger. He did not make the country’s squad for Euro 2016 because he was banned for their opening two games. It is believed that both clubs are close to agreeing a deal in the £12m range for the former Chelsea youth player.
“Yes I want Gokhan Tore and Atiba Hutchinson, they are targets,” Bilic told Turkish television.
“We also have others but they are major targets.
“Will it happen? Nobody can say yet but we want them.
“I want one transfer for both. More than one thing has to happen for this deal. When a club wants a player it depends on how much Besiktas want to sell a player and how much they are asking.
“There is a lot written in the Turkish press that is untrue. But I know them, I spent two years with them.”