West Ham have got their eyes set on the French market with the club considering a number of players based in Ligue 1.
It is thought David Moyes and new Head of Recruitment, Rob Newman, believe there are plenty of potential talented bargains to be found in France.
In a recent transfer update by reliable source @ExWHUemployee, he highlighted some players West Ham are interested in.
West Ham are set to going shopping in France, with David Moyes keen on multiple signings from Ligue 1 clubs.
Three Strikers Being Looked At
It is clear West Ham are in the market for a striker to provide competition for Michail Antonio. Jonathan David of Lille is someone the Hammers are very keen on. However, he looks set to stay at Champions League club Lille until the end of the season.
Therefore, a loan signing to see the club through to the end of the season is possible.
Mohammed Bayo from Clermont Foot is an option. The 23-year-old has nine goals this campaign, he scored 22 in the French Second Division last season. He is currently away at the AFCON with Guinea and his newly promoted side will be desperate to keep him as they fight relegation.
Additionally, Hugo Ekitike, a 19-year-old playing for Stade Reims could be an alternative. He has eight goals to his name in Ligue 1 and the highly rated teenager is not just wanted by West Ham. Newcastle, Brighton and Leicester are also scouting him.
Ekitike is dubbed as a wonder kid in France, he is a good finisher with an even better work rate that will surely impress Moyes. At 6ft 2in he is tall but also a good dribbler. He is inexperienced so it would be a punt to sign him but a loan deal to see how he gets on before a deal that could be worth £30 million would be a smart move.
See the next page for the centre-backs West Ham want.
Two Defenders On The Shortlist
West Ham are also in need of a centre-back. Kurt Zouma is nearing a return from injury, Angelo Ogbonna is out for the remainder of the season, meanwhile Issa Diop has been inconsistent and Craig Dawson is playing on through injury.
Therefore, plenty of central defenders have been linked with moves recently including Nat Phillips and Matthias Ginter.
Another two to keep an eye on is Benoit Badiashile and Abdou Diallo.
Badiashile plays for AS Monaco and is aged just 20. The Frenchman has been liked with a big money move to Newcastle and is thought to be one of the futures of French football. At 6ft 4in he is a huge presence in the air and he is also physically very strong – two attributes Moyes likes to have in his central defenders.
Also, there is Abdou Diallo from PSG. The 25-year-old’s game time at the Paris based club have been limited this season. Formally of Borussia Dortmund, Diallo is currently away on international duty with Senegal for the AFCON.
One key attribute that could lead to Diallo being one of the most likely to arrive at London Stadium is that he can also play left-back, and has done so on many occasions throughout his career. With West Ham missing Aaron Cresswell for many matches due to injury, either right-back Ben Johnson or the unpredictable Arthur Masuaku have been in the team instead.
Diallo would be able to provide cover at left-back and also he is left-footed, which means he is a natural long-term replacement for Angelo Ogbonna, allowing Zouma to play where he is most comfortable, on the right hand side.
The defender offers a wealth of experience, despite still having his best years ahead of him, and is comfortable on the ball, a good reader of the game and versatile. He would be a smart and realistic target.
A loan bid could be made for Diallo to bring him to West Ham for the remainder of the season. It is worth noting Moyes has always been a fan of Burnley defender James Tarkowski, who’s contract expires in the summer.
Diallo is at PSG meaning loaning him is not allowed unless Alphonse Areola, also on loan at West Ham from the Parisians, makes his move permanent.