West Ham consider George Ilenikhena as striker search begins

West Ham are considering a move for Nigerian forward George Ilenikhena as they prepare for promotion to the Championship, although the club have yet to make a signing. The 19-year-old has emerged as a potential attacking option after a rapid rise through French, Belgian and European football.

West Ham have funds available following the sales of Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, and are assessing the possibility of bringing in new forwards. Ilenikhena is among the young strikers being linked with a move to the Premier League club.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2006, Ilenikhena moved to France when he was three years old. He subsequently entered the French professional football development system, where his pace, physical strength and finishing ability quickly attracted attention.

He joined Amiens in 2021 and made history two years later when he became the youngest scorer in Ligue 2. Ilenikhena achieved that landmark by scoring against Bordeaux, marking an early moment in a career that has continued to progress quickly.

After making 18 first-team appearances for Amiens and scoring twice, Ilenikhena moved to Royal Antwerp in a transfer worth about €6m. His performances in Belgium strengthened his reputation, with the forward scoring 14 goals in 50 appearances across all competitions.

That form led to a transfer to AS Monaco in 2024 for €18.75m. The move represented another significant step for a player who had continued to develop through regular exposure to senior football.

Ilenikhena continued his rise in Ligue 1 and European competition with AS Monaco. One of the most notable moments of that period came when he scored a memorable goal against Barcelona in the Champions League.

In February 2026, he moved again, joining Al-Ittihad in a deal worth €33m. At the Saudi Arabian club, he replaced Karim Benzema.

The forward’s career has therefore taken him from Amiens to Royal Antwerp, AS Monaco and then Al-Ittihad in a relatively short period. His record of scoring at each stage, combined with his age and physical attributes, has made him an option for clubs looking to strengthen their attack.

For West Ham, the interest comes as the club prepare for their next campaign and look to use the funds generated by the departures of Fernandes and Summerville. No signing has yet been completed, but Ilenikhena’s development and experience in several leagues have placed him on their list of potential attacking recruits.