West Ham United are looking to the transfer window to improve their options at the back and are set to approach Manchester United for an out favour defender. The Hammers have significant funds at their disposal after the deal that sent Declan Rice to Arsenal. David Moyes is looking to strengthen his squad after his side finished 14th in the Premier League last season, just six points from the relegation zone.
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West Ham to Contact Manchester United for Veteran
Current Options
Thilo Kehrer, Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd are the current options at the manager’s disposal. Angelo Ogbonna is another option, but at 35 his best days are behind him, and any new signing would likely be a replacement for the veteran. Kehrer joined from Paris Saint-Germain last summer and has failed to nail down a regular starting role at centre-back but has shown his versatility as a right back and he could be utilised in this position next season.
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Aguerd was another signing from last summer, joining from Rennes. The Morroco international has had a hit-and-miss first season but scored two goals in the final eight games of the season. The Moroccan put in strong performances as the Irons beat Southampton, Bournemouth and Manchester United to secure survival but has yet to fully nail down his spot.
Partner for Zouma Required
According to the Telegraph, West Ham United are lining up a transfer for Manchester United captain Harry Maguire. Maguire has fallen behind first choice centre backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane. Victor Lindelof has established himself as the third-choice centre-back, and as a result, the club captain has found himself as fourth choice. It is a significant fall from grace for the England centre-back, who starred in his country’s 2018 World Cup campaign as the Three Lions finished 4th. Following this tournament, Maguire’s stock was never higher and in August 2019 he sealed an £80 million move to Old Trafford.
The 30-year-old still has the ability to play at a high level and has received praise from Erik ten Hag this season. Speaking in March, Ten Hag stated: “I am really happy with the progress Harry is making at the moment. He is more dominant and dictating, taking more initiative on the training pitch and we saw in Seville against Betis where he showed leadership, especially in those aspects of initiative and dictation of the game.”
Moyes does not seem fully convinced by either of his current options to play alongside Zouma, who, when fit, is the number one choice. The former Chelsea defender has been a Premier League regular since the 2015/16 season and has forced his way into the French national team at times. Zouma made more clearances per 90 minutes (4.7) than any other West Ham player last season and was only marginally second to Kehrer in pass completion among the club’s defensive options. The team would add another Premier League established centre-back if the transfer for the Manchester United defender can be finalised.
West Ham to Open the Transfer War Chest This Summer?
The Englishman may fill the leadership void left after Rice’s departure having been the Red Devils’ captain for a number of seasons and a key figure for England in that time. Ten Hag is opting to change captain for the coming campaign, which is a sure sign that Maguire’s time at Old Trafford is limited.. Europa League Conference champions West Ham will also look to reinvest the money received from the sale of their star midfielder into a few other areas that need strengthening this summer.
Several have been mentioned as Rice replacements such as James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez and Amadou Onana. Another forward will be targeted to take the burden off Antonio as Gianluca Scamacca looks to push a move to AS Roma. It could be a busy few weeks for the club as Moyes prepares to build a squad capable of avoiding another relegation fight.
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