Major interest expected as former West Ham target back on market

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Reports claim striker Alassane Plea will leave Borussia Monchengladbach this summer, putting many European clubs on high alert.

The 28-year-old is approaching the end of his third season with the Bundesliga outfit, having joined from Nice in July 2018. Initially a winger, the man with one France cap was converted to a central striker by Claude Puel while at Allianz Riviera. He has never been prolific in front of goal but has bagged 35 goals from 102 appearances in all competitions for Gladbach.

The Lille-born ace has scored just four times in the German top flight but does have 10 goals overall in 2020-2021. But it seems as though this may well be his last campaign for Die Fohlen.

Like many clubs, Gladbach are struggling due to the pandemic and will look to raise funds this summer, according to The Mail. There will be may changes in the off-season, with coach Marco Rose set to be replaced by Adi Hutter.

And the Austrian will doubtless have his own ideas about how he wants the side to play. It seems as though Plea will be one man to depart and he will have many suitors.

The Hammers were said to be keen in January as David Moyes looked for a replacement for Sebastien Haller. The Scot did not recruit an out-and-out striker, with Jesse Lingard arriving on loan from Manchester United.

It was an inspired move, with the 28-year-old playing a major part in West Ham’s chase for a top-four spot. He has notched nine goals in 10 outings and returned to the form that made him an England regular.

But Moyes will bring in a new striker in the off-season and it remains to be seen if he returns for Plea.

Moyes: We showed our character

Moyes: We showed our character

West Ham boss David Moyes gives his reaction to Sky Sports following the 3-2 defeat to Newcastle.

Plenty of interest in versatile Plea

It is not only the London Stadium outfit that have been linked with Plea in the past. Both Tottenham and Manchester United have been mentioned in connection with the former Lyon ace.

That was in the summer of 2020 and they will doubtless have their eyes on other targets this summer. Arsenal and Leicester are also said to have held an interest during the past 12 months.

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It could be a busy time for the Frenchman’s agent who does seem well suited to English football. Able to hold up play and bring team-mates into the game, he is a selfless player who always gives his best.

When asked to move out wide to accommodate Mario Balotelli at Nice, he made no fuss. “I’m a fighter, not a guy who sulks,” he said at the time. “Who am I to refuse to play on the wing?”

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