Leeds United and West Ham United are reportedly set to battle Liverpool for Martin Terrier, valued at €40 million by Stade Rennais.
According to L’Equipe, Premier League clubs Leeds United and West Ham United are both set to battle it out for Rennes attacker Martin Terrier. The 25-year-old is also a target for Liverpool, with the Ligue 1 outfit demanding €40 million to part ways with him.
Martin Terrier came through the ranks at LOSC Lille before moving to Lyon in 2018. He spent two seasons at the Groupama Stadium before joining Rennes in 2020. Terrier has since found a second wind and has 45 goal contributions in just 83 games for the Ligue 1 side.
This has caught the attention of clubs from across the channel, including Leeds United, West Ham United and LIverpool, as the 2022 summer transfer window gathers further steam. Rennes are not averse to selling their star man and could be persuaded to do so for a fee of €40 million.
Leeds are coming off a poor season that saw them stave off relegation by the skin of their teeth. The Whites also bid goodbye to two of their best players this summer in Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha. So Leeds are experiencing an overhaul of sorts and require some bite upfront.
Scoring goals was a weakness for them last season, with only four other Premier League teams finding the back of the net fewer times than them all season, three of whom got relegated. Given the competitive nature of the Premier League, Leeds cannot afford to not strengthen their attack and could do with a player of Terrier’s abilities. Leeds appear to have fallen short of their pursuit of Charles De Ketelaere and Terrier could be considered an able alternative.
The same can be said for West Ham, who are overly dependent on Michail Antonio up front. The Jamaican international is not getting any younger, and the Hammers must bring in a secondary option who can lead the line with aplomb. Jarrod Bowen has shown the ability to do a job as a striker but is better utilised on the right-wing.
Terrier primarily starts on the left wing but is capable of playing anywhere along the frontline. This versatility will not just aid him in his movement but also give Marsch and David Moyes alternatives on how to deploy him.
Terrier’s performances have also caught the attention of Liverpool. The Reds went big for Darwin Nunez in the summer, and it is difficult to see them splash the cash for another attacker. The very fact that FSG’s recruitment team have the 25-year-old on their radar speaks highly of his potential. After all, the Merseysiders have proven themselves to be real savants when it comes to recruitment.
Whether it be Leeds or West Ham, either club will be making a gamble in hitching their fortunes to the Frenchman, especially for a price of €40 million. But then it is a high risk, high reward situation that could pay huge dividends should it come off.