West Ham United are believed to be contemplating a transfer for Fenerbahce defender Attila Szalai, with supervisor David Moyes eyeing up a brand new defensive recruit.
What’s the phrase?
In accordance with Sky Sports activities Germany, the Hammers have turned their consideration in direction of the Hungary worldwide this summer time, with uncertainty mounting over their means to persuade Paris Saint-Germain defender Thilo Kehrer to hitch the membership.
The report means that the latter man’s choice is to remain in France at current, whereas the east Londoners are additionally seemingly unwilling to pay the required €20m price for the German’s providers, with only a yr remaining on his current deal on the Parc des Princes.
That truth has seen Szalai – who solely made the transfer to Turkey 18 months in the past – emerge as a possible various for these on the London Stadium, with additional defensive cowl wanted following the long-term harm to summer time signing, Nayef Aguerd.
Ogbonna inheritor
A left-footed centre-back standing at a powerful 6 foot 4, Szalai would seem like the perfect inheritor to that of present West Ham man Angelo Ogbonna, with the veteran Italian more likely to be approaching the tip of his time on the membership sooner slightly than later.
The 34-year-old, 6 foot 3 brute – who can also be left-footed – has been a glowing performer for the London Stadium outfit since becoming a member of from Juventus again in 2015, racking up 200 appearances for the membership in all competitions up to now.
A massively reliably determine for the Irons, significantly below Moyes lately, the one-time Torino man was notably lauded by teammate Declan Rice again in 2020, with the Englishman stating that: “He’s so good. Truthfully, he’s gone to a different degree this season. He appears like an actual high, high centre-half and he’s stepped up when it’s actually mattered.”
Ought to West Ham signal Szalai?
Sure!
No
His nice type was cruelly disrupted by a long-term harm final season, nevertheless, with the £1.08m-rated man finally lacking the vast majority of the marketing campaign, whereas he’s nonetheless but to totally get well regardless of the season having already acquired underway.
Having reportedly signed a brand new one-year extension the chances are high that the 13-cap gem can be on the membership till subsequent summer time not less than, though the sensation is {that a} youthful substitute might nicely be wanted, significantly with it unclear if he’ll be capable to get well his earlier type after such an prolonged interval out of motion.
That’s the place Szalai is available in, with the Hungarian colossus having caught the attention of late, having notably been the topic of curiosity from fellow Premier League aspect Chelsea final yr.
An imposing presence, the “exemplary” 24-year-old, as described by Emre Belözoğlu, additionally mirrors Ogbonna in his means to additionally function on the left of a again three – as he notably did within the 4-0 thrashing of England again in June – whereas he also can slot in at left-back if required.
That versatility would certainly see him change into an actual key determine below Moyes, each this season and past, with the £10.8m-rated man seemingly the right match to step into Ogbonna’s footwear.
