West Ham United send scouts to Bayer Leverkusen v RB Leipzig as January transfer news emerges
West Ham scouts were present at the Bayer Leverkusen clash against RB Leipzig on Sunday 21 January amid interest in Jonathan Tah and Adam Hlozek, according to HITC.
The website reported [22 January] that the Hammers sent their scouts to watch the Bundesliga tie, joined by fellow Premier League club Arsenal, Liverpool and the Manchester rivals, as well as PSG, Juventus, AC Milan and Napoli.
The European clubs were watching on as several stars performed in a 3-2 thriller, with Xavi Simons, Lois Openda, Benjamin Sesko, Jeremie Frimpong and Piero Hincapie.
It is understood, however, that West Ham are mainly interested in Tah and Hlozek as they aim for January signings ahead of a busy and difficult second half of the campaign.
Finding some hidden gems
Any outgoings from Bayer Leverkusen are highly unlikely this season, with Xabi Alonso leading his team to a seven-point gap at the top of the Bundesliga table. They have a chance to win the first league title in their history.
Leverkusen are the only club in the top five leagues to still remain unbeaten, winning 15 games and drawing three after 18 fixtures. Leipzig, however, are floundering in fourth but will still be aiming to finish in the European spots.
Most of these superstars will take a large price tag to draw them away from Germany this January, which is unlikely outside of the summer transfer window. But West Ham seems to be targeting the lesser-known, less expensive players.
And with their plague of injuries, alongside international absentees because of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, David Moyes will be desperate to bring in a couple of names before the transfer window closes.
While Hzolek has only scored one league goal this season, his limited game may frustrate him enough to force a move to the Premier League. But his centre-back teammate, Tah, is one of the first names on the teamsheet and could be a difficult signing to make if Leverkusen cannot quickly find a replacement.
In other West Ham news, Lucy Ward has told the Hammers what they need in the transfer market.
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