Alex Crook shares West Ham United Kyle Walker-Peters transfer update as Chelsea interest mooted
Alex Crook has admitted that it wouldn’t surprise him to see somebody move to sign Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters this month amid interest from West Ham United.
The Hammers are reportedly keen on the England international during the January transfer window as David Moyes looks to add a new full-back option to his side for the second half of the Premier League and Europa League campaign.
While talkSPORT’s Crook believes that the Hammers remain interested, he has also mooted the possibility of Chelsea entering the race for his signature as the 26-year-old would provide some much-needed versatility at Stamford Bridge.
As quoted by Give Me Sport (15 January) he said: “When it comes to Walker-Peters, there is no sign of him signing a new contract. I think they thought there would be more Premier League interest than there was in the summer. They didn’t get a single bid.
“I mentioned West Ham being interested a few weeks ago because they are definitely looking for right-back cover. Even Chelsea could come into it, with Reece James’ injury problems.
“He can play at right and left-back, which would be ideal with Ben Chilwell spending time on the sidelines. It wouldn’t surprise me if somebody tries to get Walker-Peters before the end of the window.”
Not a surprise
Walker-Peters’s form this season in the Championship was always going to lead to Premier League interest in the defender. The 26-year-old has been phenomenal for Southampton so far this season, popping up with two goals and two assists from right-back.
The defender’s reluctance to sign a new deal means that offers could well arrive for his services in the next few weeks and it has become fairly common knowledge that the Hammers are admirers of the full-back.
But given the injuries in David Moyes’ squad in the forward areas and at centre-back, it seems unlikely that the Irons will prioritise signing a new right-back this month as they need additions elsewhere on the pitch before adding there.
If Chelsea decide to make a move, they might have a free run at the Saints defender as you would imagine West Ham would have submitted a bid by now had they held a genuine interest in Walker-Peters.
In other West Ham news, Konstantinos Mavropanos has been spotted in training ahead of the FA Cup clash with Bristol City