West Ham are understood to be looking at strengthening the defence further despite the transfer window closing last night, its been reported by ExWHUEmployee.
It’s been widely regarded as a successful summer for the club, with nine new recruits making their way to east London following the arrival of Carlos Soler from PSG yesterday on a season-long loan deal.
However, although the window has now officially closed it appears West Ham have not concluded business, with our club insider ExWHUEmployee advising that the club are exploring further additions defensively.
“West Ham appear to have trusted Kaelan Casey to be the club’s forth choice centre back for the mean time,” stated Ex on The West Ham Way Patreon.
“The talented and classy player had a number of top loan moves lined up for him but the club asked him to stay as they expected Zouma and Aguerd to leave. The talented defender has just been called up into the England under 20s squad for matches against Turkey and Romania and is more than deserving of his place in the squad.
“Casey was on the bench a number of times before finally making his debut in the home game against Luton Town, which was famously Moyes’ last home game last season.
“Oliver Scarles was another England youth player, who was due to go on loan but again the club have decided to keep him to provide cover for the first team especially given Cresswell’s recent injury.
“Lewis Orford is yet another who is very highly rated, and an England youth player who could provide depth to the first team as well.”
Ex went on to list the potential targets the club are exploring as we continue to strengthen the squad for the season as we look to build a serious push for European football again next season.
Mario Hermoso, Mats Hummels may be explored but as Ex outlined on Patreon there are some hurdles with them however Ex has also advised that Joel Matip is looking the more likely and realistic option at this stage.
“Joël Matip who to me seems the most realistic possibility,” added Ex. “The former Liverpool centre back and Cameroon international has played for Liverpool since 2016 making 150 appearances for the Anfield based team.
“He has suffered a few serious injuries which could put us off but he has just gone 33 so not as old as some of the other options and he also has a lot of Premier League experience too. He is German born and speaking which will work with Tim and he is also probably wanting to remain in the UK. There is a realistic chance that he would be happy to play as a forth choice centre back, so it wouldn’t surprise me if we were to make a move.”
The club will decide whether to make a move for some of these options or to stick with Casey in the coming days.