West Ham have made the first official move for Mario Stroeykens, submitting an £8.5 million bid for the highly rated 19-year-old Anderlecht winger. But their pursuit may not go uncontested.

Sources close to LeedsUnited.news suggest Leeds had already held talks for Stroeykens earlier this month, though the club opted to focus on other targets at the time. Now, with West Ham testing the waters, there’s a real possibility Leeds could re-enter the race.

West Ham Lead, But for How Long?

Anderlecht are believed to be holding out for closer to £17 million. Whether West Ham will increase their bid remains unclear, but the door is now slightly ajar for other clubs to act – and Leeds could yet take advantage.

Despite shifting attention elsewhere, Stroeykens remains on Leeds’ radar. He racked up 12 goal contributions in the 2024–25 season and is viewed as one of the brightest talents to emerge from Anderlecht’s academy, which previously produced Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans.

Belgian Links Strengthen Leeds’ Case

Leeds’ broader focus on the Belgian market gives this potential hijack some weight. The club have been linked with several names from the Jupiler Pro League in recent months, including Kasper Dolberg, Noah Sadiki, and Raphael Onyedika.

Much could now hinge on the direction of academy boss Adam Underwood. If he reignites interest in Stroeykens, Leeds may look to match or even outbid West Ham, especially if the Hammers hesitate over Anderlecht’s valuation.

For now, West Ham are the only ones at the table with a bid. But Leeds are watching – and they might not stay quiet for long.