West Ham United make Franceso Acerbi enquiry after Lazio exile
West Ham United have made an enquiry to Lazio over the potential availability of defender Francesco Acerbi, according to La Lazio Siamo Noi.
The 34-year-old is no longer in the plans of manager Maurizio Sarri and is now looking to move on from the Stadio Olimpico after playing 173 games for the club over four seasons.
Acerbi, a left-footed centre-half is currently hoping that Inter Milan opt not to sign Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund as he would prefer to stay in Italy but he would be tempted by West Ham despite the intensity of the Premier League.
Monza and Torino have both been knocked back by the 25-time Italian international already over the summer with the monetary value not enough for him to leave Lazio for.
Le Aquile, as Lazio are known as, are prepared to allow Acerbi to leave the club on loan for the season if no permanent agreement can be reached.
Another Ogbonna
If West Ham are desperate for a 30-something-year-old defender from Italy, then they already have it in Angelo Ogbonna so they do not need to sign another one.
The current Hammers player is usually injured, in fairness, so he can’t be relied on much at all and the situation is getting desperate for David Moyes at the London Stadium with only Kurt Zouma a fit centre-half.
Thilo Kehrer appears set to come in and offer the cover that Moyes requires but maybe Acerbi’s European experience is something the boss wants around the dressing room.
Throughout his career, he has played 40 games in European competitions including 28 in his last four seasons at Lazio which could come in handy when the Europa Conference League campaign begins.
But considering the talent already at Rush Green and Kehrer’s potential incoming, the last thing West Ham need right now is another central defender and especially one that is probably over the hill in terms of performance already.