By Saikat Mandal

24th Nov, 2022 | 2:40pm

Next few weeks key as West Ham United want Rodrigo Becao in January

West Ham are still in the hunt to sign Udinese defender Rodrigo Becao in January, and the next few weeks are absolutely vital in the chase, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.

The 26-year-old defender has a contract at the club until 2024, and the Serie A outfit are trying to persuade him to sign a new deal at the club.

They could include the option where he will be guaranteed a transfer move in the future if the offer is right. While there is optimism that he will pen a new deal, a potential exit cannot be completely ruled out.

Unlikely

Becao is a fantastic player who has got “excellent” qualities, but he is probably not needed right now. 

After spending heavily in the summer transfer window, it is unclear whether David Moyes will be given another huge transfer budget to bring in players of his choice. 

Considering that the Hammers have been very poor in the league and that Moyes himself is under pressure to save his job, it’s too early to predict how the club will approach the winter transfer market. 

Still, signing a defender should not be Moyes’s top priority in January. Craig Dawson is one player who could leave the club, but Moyes probably won’t sanction his exit during the middle of the campaign. 

Kurt Zouma appears to be fit now, while Nayef Aguerd is expected to play a big role in the second half of the season, after missing a large chunk of action due to injury.

With Thilo Kehrer also around, the Hammers have got enough depth and quality at the back. The money could be used elsewhere.