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West Ham should look into France for defensive reinforcements

By Jay Korman

Nice's French defender Malang Sarr celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between OGC Nice (OGCN) and Toulouse FC (TFC) at the Allianz Riviera stadium, in Nice, southeastern France, on December 21, 2019. (Photo by YANN COATSALIOU / AFP) (Photo by YANN COATSALIOU/AFP via Getty Images)
Nice's French defender Malang Sarr celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between OGC Nice (OGCN) and Toulouse FC (TFC) at the Allianz Riviera stadium, in Nice, southeastern France, on December 21, 2019. (Photo by YANN COATSALIOU / AFP) (Photo by YANN COATSALIOU/AFP via Getty Images) /
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It has been made very clear over the first few days of the transfer window being open that David Moyes feels as though he must strengthen West Ham’s back-line.

Although the transfer window has not been open for very long, it seems as though West Ham manager David Moyes has his sights set on the way he wants to start building the squad for next season. The Hammers are being linked with many exciting attacking players such as Eberechi Eze and Saïd Benrahma, but the fact of the matter is that the Irons need to be looking to solidify their back four if they want to move up the table next season. Where is a better place to look than France?

The Hammers have tapped into French football in the transfer-market before, signing Issa Diop from Toulouse a few windows ago, a signing that I would say exceeded expectations. Although much of the talent in France is premium and comes with a high price, there is definitely a market for French prospects and young players that I believe the Irons should take a look at.

Malang Sarr – CB – Free Agent

Malang Sarr showed flashes of brilliance at his former club Nice in Ligue One. The 21-year-old centre-back is good in the air and will have the pace and physicality needed to deal with Premier League attackers. The Frenchman left Nice at the end of this season, so many clubs across Europe will be looking to sign Sarr on a free. West Ham should definitely be sniffing around.

Zeki Celik – RB – Lille

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 10: Zeki Celik of Lille OSC during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on December 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 10: Zeki Celik of Lille OSC during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on December 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

Celik is not a super popular and flashy player across France but could play a vital part in any team trying to improve. Celik is a versatile wing-back who has years of first-team football experience despite only being 23 years old. Celik can defend well and has a mind for the game, and has the quality to gel with any attack that he joins.

Christophe Hérelle – CB – Nice

Hérelle is the veteran option out of the three players listed coming in at 27 years old, but his experience playing first-team football is why he could make a great addition to West Ham. After a mixed bag of a season at Nice last year, the Hammers should be looking for depth at the centre-back position. Hérelle could immediately battle Fabian Balbuena for the backup role, and could potentially push into the XI should Diop or Oggy struggle. A reinforcement that Moyes and the board should definitely consider.

dark. Next. A rejuvenated Haller could be like a new signing for the Hammers

Although the transfer window has just begun, it seems as though the Hammers are very keen on strengthening the squad defensively. The club seems to be looking at the Championship for most targets, but would be wise to at least sniff around France and try to find some acceptable players and deals for next season.