Report: Hammers keen on signing Dor Peretz to replace Declan Rice
West Ham are reportedly lining up a summer swoop for Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Dor Peretz whose contract runs out next month.
According to Sport1, the Hammers are monitoring the midfielder and could look to sign him on a free this summer.
Declan Rice, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Manchester United, could be on his way out of the London Stadium this summer, opening the door for Peretz to replace him.
The 26-year-old, who has 20 caps for Israel, still has three games before the Israeli season concludes after which he is set to part ways with the Tel Aviv outfit.
Having spent his entire career on the books of the club, he believes the time has now arrived for him to take the step up and will be delighted that a Premier League side is keen on securing his services.
However, the Hammers are not understood to be the favourites. Europa League and Russian club CSKA Moscow are believed to be in the driver’s seat to sign the player once his contract runs out.
Not convinced by him
Peretz boasts an impressive pass accuracy north of 85 percent, averages 4.12 interceptions and 20.48 duels won per game this season. [Wyscout]
However, the 26-year-old lacks the positional discipline to be a full-time defensive midfielder. His versatility could be an advantage for Tel Aviv, but we would need more of a specialist.
Despite starting as the deepest of midfielders, he has the tendency to drift forward into the left half-space where he combines with the full-back and wingers.
While he can get away with that kind of cavalier football in Israel, the Premier League is a completely different ball game.
We’re not entirely sure that he would be a good enough replacement to Rice, but would be a decent bench player to have as we’re desperately in need of options in the middle of the park.
Hopefully, if this transfer goes through, we continue our chase for a proper defensive midfielder who can complement Tomas Soucek at the heart of our midfield.
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