West Ham Watch Romanian Starlet Florinel Coman - Once Dubbed the Next Kylian Mbappé

​West Ham are understood to have watched highly rated Romania international winger Florinel Coman, despite their ongoing Premier League woes.

The Hammers began the 2019/20 campaign in promising fashion, losing just one of their opening eight fixtures.

But an abysmal run of form - that ultimately cost Manuel Pellegrini his job as manager - has plunged the Hammers into relegation trouble, with successor David Moyes failing to have the desired impact since returning for a second spell in charge.

Amid the chaos, carnage and, at times, comedy, there does appear to be an element of forward planning for West Ham, even though things are a little bleak. 

Evidence of that comes courtesy of local outlet ​Digisport, who claim that the beleaguered Irons were present to watch Coman - who plays for FCSB (Steaua Bucharest to you and me) - during their derby clash with fierce rivals Dinamo.

The Romanian giants have no real interest in selling their prized asset, but keeping hold of Coman may be easier said than done, after a number of standout performances for his country at last summer's Under-21 European Championship caught the eye.

He, alongside Ianis Hagi (now at Rangers) and George Puscas (plying his trade at Reading) helped fire Romania past a hapless England in the group stages, earning comparisons for Coman - albeit from outspoken club FCSB owner, Gigi Becali - to both Kylian Mbappé and Neymar.

FCSB owner Becali just revealed that a Belgian club was going to come and negotiate for Florinel Coman. Becali told the club official to stay at home, because there isn't any Belgian club that can offer the money he wants for Coman. #classicGigi pic.twitter.com/NEocJc7caX

— Emanuel Roşu (@Emishor) February 7, 2020

Those slightly farfetched comments aside, Coman has been tipped for a big future at the highest level - and would undoubtedly provide more of a creative spark to a ​West Ham attacking line that often looks bereft of ideas.

But there are stumbling blocks in the Hammers path.

Becali has previously stated that he wouldn't consider selling Coman on the cheap, once quipping that any bid short of €20m (£17m) would be turned down, and there is competition for his signature from elsewhere.

Orlando City, Digisport claim in a further report, have already tested FCSB's transfer resolve, tabling a €7m (£5.8m) bid, in addition to securing 40% of his economic rights. Becali doesn't consider that offer to be good enough, but it's mooted that his stance has softened on Coman's valuation - €15m (£12.5m) said to be his new figure.

It's unknown at this stage if Orlando will return with another bid, but what we do know is that

West Ham are not in a position to make a move at this stage; securing the club's Premier League status is paramount before committing to long-term targets.

That said, there's no harm in watching a player who has demonstrated a keen eye for goal domestically (25 goals in 77 appearances) in the past, and may add something different to an otherwise mundane Hammers frontline.

Source : 90min