Turkish Giants Besiktas Tracking West Ham Youth Team's 27-Goal Striker Likened To Wilfried Zaha

Published: January 14, 2020

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Turkish giants Besiktas are keeping tabs on highly-rated Nigerian teenager Joseph Johnson, whose playing style has drawn comparisons to Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha.

Johnson becomes eligible to sign scholarship forms with the Hammers next year but the Premier League side have a job on their hands to fend off suitors especially from abroad.

Apart from the interest from Besiktas, German Bundesliga sides RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim want the attack-minded player to beef up their youth team ahead of the start of the 2021-2022 season.

Several scouts representing Premier League clubs have been flocking to matches involving West Ham's U15 and U16 teams and they have not left the ground disappointed.

This past weekend, Johnson scored a hat-trick as West Ham U15 team thrashed Ipswich Town 9-2, playing as a striker rather that his preferred position as a winger and took his tally for the season to 27 goals in all competitions.

Johnson has pledged his international future to Nigeria over England and hopes to represent five-time world champions Nigeria at the next FIFA U17 World Cup.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel