West Ham Close To Completing First Winter Transfer Signing

West Ham are reportedly close to finalising their first transfer ahead of the January transfer window, which opens in only eight weeks.

According to Danish news outlet B.T. West Ham are getting closer to finalising the transfer of young star Frederik Alves. With the report even suggesting that the player and his agent were pictured in the Stratford Hotel. It was reported earlier in the month that the transfer was close to completion until news went quiet on the transfer.

At first, many fans would have been forgiven if they had thought that the news was simply a rumour. But the news has now been confirmed by trusted ITK insider ExWHUemployee. The insider tweeted after the news broke confirming that the defender could arrive at the club in January.

Alves is a young defender currently playing his trade at Silkeborg IF in Denmark’s top division. The Dane has played predominantly as a centre-back but has shown the potential to be able to play as a right-back, left-back and even as a central midfielder. This flexibility is something David Moyes is looking for in players he brings in to the squad.

The soon to be 21-year-old has also represented Denmark in their youth teams, making multiple appearances for both the U20s and U21 teams. Alves stands at 6 ft 3 inches and would add some height to the Hammers backline which at the moment is not the tallest.

Should the transfer be completed, Alves would likely arrive at the club in January and compete in the development squad. This placing of Alves to the youth side may only be a temporary one should Alves impress. If Alves does enough, he could find himself in the first team ahead of Craig Dawson who is the clubs only centre-back back-up at the moment.

Dawson was signed from Watford on loan to offer back-up should one of the first choice defenders pick-up an injury. Since the veteran’s move to the London Stadium, he is yet to make an appearance for the club on the pitch or even the bench.