With ten weeks remaining before the next transfer window, West Ham United’s defensive shortages created by deadline day departures last August may well be addressed. The club have been operating with just three front line centre backs, keeping everything crossed that Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos don’t succumb to injury or illness.
The decision to loan out Nayef Aguerd on deadline day was always a risk – without time to replace him there was conjecture that a fourth centre back may come in on a free transfer – but instead the Hammers have chosen to operate temporarily with just the three.
Whilst Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo appear to be forming a good partnership, Lopetegui’s stated aim of having two players for each position means adding another defender will be high on the priority list come January. Footballtalk.co.uk today carry a report from Brazil regarding 28 year old centre-back Léo Ortiz from Flamengo who has been highlighted as a target for West Ham’s recruitment team.
Sensibly priced at €9 million he is attainable, experienced and a solid performer who would add depth to the Irons backline. Brazil’s very own transfer guru Bruno Lemos has apparently confirmed West Ham were interested in the player in previous windows and suggests that Juve and Fiorentina will also be on the defender’s trail in the January window:“Ortiz’s performances have ignited the interest of West Ham, who have identified the Brazilian as a prime target ahead of the January window.”
Brazil’s version of Fabrizio Romano confirms West Ham’s interest in Ortiz
Very much one to watch as January nears: Steidten will have a defensive addition high on his list of priorities: Various reports on the club’s positive financial situation overall would suggest finding the transfer budget for reinforcements in January will not be a problem, providing savings are made by removing player salaries from the expenditure.
So, outgoings as always needed to make way for incomings. I’d suggest making Aguerd’s loan a permanent departure may also be high on Steidten’s to do list.
