Reported January West Ham target admits he was ‘disappointed’ not to leave
West Ham United had a rather busy January transfer window, managing to reinforce what was a desperately underperforming squad.
Goalkeeper Darren Randolph came back from Championship side Middlesbrough, midfielder Sander Berge arrived on loan from Slavia Prague, while attacker Jarrod Bowen joined from Hull City.
Those were much-needed additions, and they came in a few vital positions. However, there was one need that remained unaddressed.
Yes, right back. The Hammers had to cope without their first choice Ryan Fredericks for a month after he went down injured against Bournemouth in early January.
The Daily Star reported last month that the Irons had made an enquiry about Genk right back Joakim Maehle.
Now, the 22-year-old has spoken about his feelings regarding his mooted, but ultimately failed, exit from the Belgian side.
“It is not surprising that [Sander] Berge and [Mbwana] Samatta are now also gone,” he told De Zondag.
“We know the club’s strategy, it’s a good thing for everyone. That I had to stay was a disappointment, yes.
“I am ambitious, watched those beautiful foreign clubs pass by … We were champions, that does not work every year, perhaps this was the chance. But they said NO…
“Others might rebel then, but I’m not in that position. I was not unhappy either and I reasoned: I am only 22 years old, I still have ten to fifteen years to play football.”
Will the Hammers go back in for Maehle?
They could well do so. Fredericks’ back-up Pablo Zabaleta is due to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
So, there will be a vacancy to fill at the London Stadium come the summer. It would certainly be a surprise if the club didn’t sign a new right back in the next transfer window.
Fredericks is decent, but he’s not quite brought the desired defensive solidity since he joined from Fulham.
So, signing someone like Maehle to compete with – and potentially usurp – Fredericks would be ideal.
In other West Ham news, the club’s supporters have been hailing one loan star after his weekend performance.