German international David Raum is a target for many clubs after an impressive season in the Bundesliga, one of them interested is West Ham.
The Hammers are in the hunt for a left-back this summer to bolster their defensive options.
Raum is reportedly the club’s first choice, while Filip Kostic and Borna Sosa are also options.
West Ham have held preliminary talks David Raum over a potential £33million transfer.
Raum had an outstanding season for Hoffenheim, providing 13 assists and scoring three goals. He was tied for fifth in the Bundesliga in the assist leaderboard. If you were to carry that assist tally to the Premier League, Raum would have been tied in first with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. He also led defenders in assists across the top five leagues.
The 24 year-old full-back is becoming a hot name for many clubs, especially for German giants Bayern Munich. Via Sky Sports, those talks have broken down. Bayern already have their number one left-back in Alphonso Davies and Raum wants to play first team football before the World Cup in the winter to get in the German squad.
Raum is understood to be the top priority at left-back for the Hammers, he is being valued at €30-€35million.
He is a creative left-back just like our very own Aaron Cresswell. Cresswell has been the Hammers number one option for quite some time now. But many fans feel it is time for a change. The Europa League semi-final versus Eintracht Franfkurt gave West Ham a reason to find a new left-back.
It’s going to be tough to acquire Raum though due to the fee Hoffenheim are demanding.
Other clubs have more wiggle room with their transfer budget such as Newcastle United and Manchester City. City are also in need of a left-back as they are selling Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal. They also have more to offer by playing Champions League football.
West Ham look to finalise deals by the end of the week for Jesse Lingard, Amadou Onana and Armando Broja. Also on West Ham’s wishlist is Gianluca Scamacca as well as David Moyes still wanting a winger.