West Ham turn their attention to 25-year-old Champions League defender

Recently, West Ham conceded 2 goals inside five minutes in a 3-1 defeat against Wolves in the Sunshine State Tour. This match again went on to highlight a big issue with the squad that's already pretty much known.

Since taking over from former manager, David Moyes, Julen Lopetegui got a side that is in big need of defensive reinforcements. And the Hammers are working to bring in a new centre-back alongside £40 million summer signing Max Kilman.

West Ham turn their attention to 25-year-old Champions League defender

West Ham had agreed a transfer with Flamengo and Nice for Fabricio Bruno and Jean-Clair Todibo respectively only to be turned down by both the players. And recently, FootMercato has reported that West Ham are interested in a 25-year-old centre-back who played in the UEFA Champions League last season.

The player is Austrian centre-back Kevin Danso who played European football with Lens in 2023/24. The former Reading player joined Lens in the summer of 2021 and had gone strength to strength in the French league.

The centre-back also impressed in the Champions League with his heroic defending that saw Lens register a memorable 2-1 win against Arsenal in the group stages. Overall, Danso made 38 appeareances last season which meant that Lens came third in their Champions League group and narrowly missed out on European football this season.

Thus, no European football at Lens can interest Danso for a big move. And Premier League can well be his next destination with the report claiming that West Ham and Wolves are interested in Kevin Danso.

And West Ham desperately need a rock solid defender to improve Julen Lopetegui's side. Lens value the defender at £21 million which is a bargain for a Champions League quality defender who is entering his prime.

Plus his experience playing European football is invaluable for the Hammers as they are aiming for a top six finish next season to return to playing European football at the London Stadium. At the moment, West Ham have a big chance at signing Danso however, the Hammers need to ward off competition from Wolves for the defender's signature.