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Bilic looking to steal West Ham United defensive target

By Henry Tomlinson

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - JULY 17: Slaven Bilić the manager o West Bromwich Albion during the Sky Bet Championship match between Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion at John Smith's Stadium on July 17, 2020 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by John Early/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - JULY 17: Slaven Bilić the manager o West Bromwich Albion during the Sky Bet Championship match between Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion at John Smith's Stadium on July 17, 2020 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by John Early/Getty Images) /
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West Ham’s former manager Slaven Bilic is set to gazump the Hammers by signing one of the clubs defensive targets.

Wigan defender Cedric Kipre has been a reported target of current West Ham manager David Moyes. The Scot has even scouted the defender on a couple of occasions. But now newly promoted West Brom are interested in the youngster’s signature.

Both West Ham and West Brom were also interested in signing Brighton defender Shane Duffy, though the defender looks set to join Celtic both will have to move on to other targets. The Baggies have made the first move to strengthen their backline.

West Brom is looking to sign Kipre, who was close to a move to Blackburn, as Slaven Bilic see his defence as a weak spot. The Baggies had the worst defence out of the top three sides in the Championship last season.

WIGAN, ENGLAND – JULY 22: Cedric Kipre of Wigan Athletic reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wigan Athletic and Fulham at DW Stadium on July 22, 2020 in Wigan, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
WIGAN, ENGLAND – JULY 22: Cedric Kipre of Wigan Athletic reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wigan Athletic and Fulham at DW Stadium on July 22, 2020 in Wigan, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /

Kipre had a good season for the Latics. The 23-year-old player thirty-six times in the Championship and scored a couple of times despite playing as a defender. It would be a shame to see another target slip through the clubs net because of a ‘lack of finances’.

David Moyes wants to strengthen the club’s defence as it was the biggest issue with the club last season. A centre-back is undoubtedly a must as Angelo Ogbonna is on the wrong side of thirty, Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena have both had inconsistent seasons.

West Ham is thought to be interested in signing three players before the window slams shut. The Hammers are looking at signing a left-back, a centre-back and forward. The players that appear to be the fans choices are the left-back, Rico Henry from Brentford. The centre-back is John Stones on a loan-to-buy move from Manchester City.

Next. Missing out on Eberechi Eze a shame, but not end of West Ham’s season. dark

The Hammers have missed out on multiple players already this transfer window. Eberechi Eze and Antonee Robinson were both top targets for West Ham, but have joined Crystal Palace and newly promoted Fulham respectively.

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