Ivory Coast star responds to West Ham and Crystal Palace pursuit

After reports that scouts of both West Ham and Crystal Palace have been in the crowd assessing his talents recently, Oostende striker Gohi Bi Zoro Cyriac has spoken of he would love the challenge of the Premier League.

The Ivory Coast international has bagged 10 league goals in 15 matches for the Belgian club since arriving from Anderlecht last year, and has been attracting interest from these shores.

While he insists he is committed to De Kustboys for now, the lure of the English top-flight and interest from potential suitors could be hard to resist.

When quizzed on the interest from the London outfits he said: “I’m happy about that. I like both clubs, they would be a challenge for me.

“I was told they were in the stadium and there is possible interest, but I am just concentrating on playing for my club.

“I like the Premier League a lot. When I was a kid I like Wayne Rooney and I met Didier Drogba playing for the Ivory Coast.

“He helped me a lot. I like the Premier League, it is very physical and referees play with a good spirit and don’t stop the attacks all the time.”

Currently top scorer in Belgium’s Jupiler League, the 25-year-old has a contract right up until June 2019, but with his current club paying just £1m for him, it is unlikely to take a huge offer to convince them to sell.

West Ham could look to bring in reinforcements in January with Enner Valencia out with a long term injury and the likes of Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll more than susceptible to a set-back or two.

If securing his signature, it is unlikely Cyriac would slot straight into the starting XI and would likely have to really push for a place in the match-day squad.

Fellow Londoners Palace, while comfortably occupying a mid-table position have struggled for goals of late, netting just three times in their last five games.

Adding the Ivory Coast man would allow Alan Pardew another option up top besides the likes of Connor Wickham, Dwight Gayle and Patrick Bamford.

For now though, it could be a case of a long-term pursuit with Cyriac looking to fire the north-Belgium side to Europa League qualification.

But with a desire to follow the likes of his hero Didier Drogba to England’s top-flight, it would be no surprise to see him taking to the field in the capital in the future.

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