West Ham make enquiry about Monaco left-back Ismail Jakobs
West Ham United have made an enquiry about AS Monaco’s left-back Ismail Jakobs, according to Knees Up Mother Brown.
The Germany Under-21 international featured 28 times for Monaco last season after a £6million move from FC Cologne in the Bundesliga.
He signed a five-year deal in the Principality but West Ham now want to take him to the London Stadium and have asked about his availability before the transfer window ends.
The 22-year-old has played in both of Monaco’s Champions League qualifiers over the past two weeks as they were knocked out of Europe’s premier competition by Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.
The Hammers have not yet received an answer on Jakobs but the Senegalese-born defender has the same agent as Paris Saint-Germain centre-half Thilo Kehrer who is also in talks with West Ham.
Backup
He might have Champions League football on his resume but Jakobs would still only be a backup to Aaron Cresswell should he decide to join the Irons this summer.
The 32-year-old Englishman has become a staple of the West Ham side since his arrival from Ipswich Town and he has been able to add a deadly set-piece to his repertoire too.
Moyes trusts Cresswell entirely now, even though he was sent off twice in the Europa League knockout stages for the same kind of incident last season, and it would take a special talent to change the manager’s mind.
Jakobs is not that, yet, but with a year or two alongside the former Tractor Boy at Rush Green, he could be moulded into the type of player that would suit a West Ham team.
His ability to play as a winger is another box ticked in Moyes’ eyes which could mean he is played in both positions during his time in the capital.