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West Ham and Marseille at stand-off over deal for centre-back

By Alex Smith

PORTO, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 03: Duje Caleta-Car of Olympique de Marseille looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group C stage match between FC Porto and Olympique de Marseille at Estadio do Dragao on November 03, 2020 in Porto, Portugal. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 03: Duje Caleta-Car of Olympique de Marseille looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group C stage match between FC Porto and Olympique de Marseille at Estadio do Dragao on November 03, 2020 in Porto, Portugal. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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West Ham are interested in signing Croatian centre-back Duje Caleta-Car from Marseille but the two clubs have contrasting demands.

The 25-year-old is rumoured to be a player David Moyes has liked for some time and was close to signing in the summer before the Hammers opted for Kurt Zouma.

Now, West Ham want Caleta-Car on loan with an option to buy but the French club would rather just sell.

West Ham and Marseille need to overcome a disagreement regarding a potential deal for centre-back Duje Caleta-Car.

England’s midfielder Jude Bellingham (L) is challenged by Croatia’s defender Duje Caleta-Car during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group D football match between England and Croatia at Wembley Stadium in London on June 13, 2021. (Photo by Frank Augstein / POOL / AFP) (Photo by FRANK AUGSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
England’s midfielder Jude Bellingham (L) is challenged by Croatia’s defender Duje Caleta-Car during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group D football match between England and Croatia at Wembley Stadium in London on June 13, 2021. (Photo by Frank Augstein / POOL / AFP) (Photo by FRANK AUGSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

As reported on our site previously, Moyes and new Head of Recruitment, Rob Newman, have a close on eye on Ligue 1 based players and are scouting the league closely. Therefore, it is no surprise to see a potential deal for Caleta-Car come back into consideration.

But a loan deal is preferred by West Ham as they would like to see how the player performs in the Premier League and settles in before having to pay big money for him.

His teammate, defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara, has also been scouted but West Ham don’t seem close to signing him this January.

Marseille are reportedly demanding a £17 million fee for Caleta-Car who is keen on the move according to Sky Sports.

With Craig Dawson battling on through injury and Issa Diop looking less than assured at the back, the return of Zouma in the 1-0 last-gasp defeat to Man United was a major positive in the attempt to fix West Ham’s recent defensive problems.

However, Angelo Ogbonna is going to be out for the remainder of the season and as a result, having a natural left-footed central defender to cover for him and potentially be the veteran’s long-term replacement is something high on Moyes’ wish list. This is why Caleta-Car would be a smart signing.

At 6ft 4in, it would be easy to assume that the Croatian is just a big, strong aerially dominant centre-back. He is this but he offers a lot more, his passing is one of his best attributes something West Ham have really lacked while Dawson and Diop have been starting. Additionally, he suits Moyes’ tactics rarely rushing out of his position to intercept or tackle, Caleta-Car prefers to stay in his slot and read the game.

Signing a centre-back and a striker, for example Ben Brereton Diaz, is still a possibility despite the Irons leaving it incredibly late to do business. However, the window can still be saved and it really needs to be; as not bringing in players in the two positions highlighted could jeopardise the hard-work and successes of the first half of this season.

Next. Moyes takes risk that could ruin the season. dark

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