Liam Thomas

Mon 26 September 2022 13:00, UK

West Ham United were “one step away” from signing centre-back Jakub Kiwior last summer, according to Calciomercato.

The Hammers defensive frailties have become an all too familiar sight so far this season and they’ll be left ruing this transfer blunder.

Kiwior who has been seriously impressive in Serie A for Spezia so far this campaign and has been described as “irreplaceable”. He would have undoubtedly helped mend matters at the back for David Moyes.

Moyes did invest in some defensive options at the start of the transfer window; Nayef Aguerd arrived early doors at the London Stadium but unfortunately suffered an injury in pre-season.

And it seems now that Kiwior may have been the brighter option for the Hammers; an exciting young talent who could have carried the West Ham defensive line for seasons to come.

The report doesn’t suggest why a move didn’t transpire between West Ham and Kiwior but the London club have been left with their hands in their pockets on this one.

Regret.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Maybe not in this case for West Ham, they’ll be kicking themselves that they weren’t able to get this one over the line in the summer.

The Poland international looks to have a terrific future ahead of him and it’s painful to see why the Hammers let him slip out of their grasp.

West Ham United have a handy amount of center-backs at their disposal but none of them have been performing particularly well this campaign.

Fans may want to look away as the Pole’s move to Milan transpires; he’s the kind of talent Moyes and future managers could have molded their defence around.

Especially one who is as eager to play with the ball and move things forward as Kiwior, it’s hard not to lose sleep over this near miss.

It remains to be seen if the youngster will fulfill his potential, but the fact a European heavyweight is doing everything they can to get his signature, suggests he’s as talented as they come.