West Ham see first bid for Caleta-Car rejected by Marseille
West Ham United have seen their first official bid for Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car rejected by the Ligue 1 club, according to the Express.
The French club have reportedly put their asking price for the Croatian international at £15million but the Hammers have fallen short of that value with their opening offer.
Caleta-Car is also a target for fellow Premier League side Wolves and has just 18 months left on his contract at the Orange Velodrome.
It is thought that the Irons want the deal to be an initial loan with the option to purchase in the summer but Marseille are not interested in any temporary deals this late in the transfer window.
The Express also reports that Caleta-Car was an option for David Moyes last summer but the club opted instead for Kurt Zouma from Chelsea for £30million.
Helpful cover
West Ham have needed cover in central defence for a while having been without Zouma, until recently, and Angelo Ogbonna through injury.
Craig Dawson and Issa Diop have done a fine job filling in for the pair but there is no other senior option at the club.
Diop has even been the subject of interest from Newcastle but the Express also reports that West Ham will reject any bids for the Frenchman.
The Hammers very rarely rush into deals and like to take a considerate amount of time making sure each deal is right for the club but there is only a few days left of the January transfer window and a move has to be made soon.
They still want another striker to help alleviate pressure on Michail Antonio, who is the club’s only recognised striker in the first team.
This is encouraging news however, despite being rejected, as the club are at least making offers for players now and there is still time to bring one in.
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