West Ham in advanced talks to sign Duje Caleta Car
West Ham have taken big steps towards signing Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car, according to reports from Get French Football News.
The Hammers have tracked him for a while as they look to reinforce their defensive line following the injuries to Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna.
It looks like a complicated deal, but with less than 48 hours remaining, West Ham are ready to come to terms with the demands of the French clubs.
GFFN claims that the Hammers will pay around £15.8m (19 million euros) and £4.16 m in bonuses (5 million euros).
As part of the deal, Caleta Car’s salary will be doubled. GGN wrote on Twitter:
“Talks now very advanced between West Ham & Marseille for Duje Caleta Čar, according to sources contacted by Get French Football News – deal is likely to be €19m + €5m in bonuses, half of which are attainable, other half rely on WHUFC qualifying for Europe. DCC’s salary doubled.”
Big move
It seems, finally West Ham are making some positive moves.
Having failed in their attempts to sign Leeds United duo Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha [The Telegraph], one couldn’t help but wonder what the club is actually trying to achieve this month.
Ogbonna is out for the entire season while Zouma has only recently returned. It means West Ham are only one defensive injury away to returning to a dire strait situation.
On top of that, there’s Issa Diop whose performances have failed to exude enough confidence in the team in recent games.
Caleta-Car would be a fine addition to David Moyes’s ranks.
The 25-year-old is a tall and commanding defender whose main strength is with the ball on his feet.
He is good at passing and can be seen as a string all-round defender. His Croatian teammate Nikola Vlasic is already settling well at the club, and he would undoubtedly play a big role in helping him settle down quickly.
Let’s get the deal done before Monday’s deadline.
In other West Ham news, the club may well sell this defender if a reasonable offer is received.