West Ham United only club in race to sign £15.5m Joakim Maehle
West Ham United could have a free run at signing Atalanta wing-back Joakim Maehle this summer, according to Tutto Atalanta.
The 25-year-old starred for Denmark during Euro 2020 as his side overcame the horror of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest to reach the semi-finals where they were beaten by England.
At club level, he has helped the Bergamo club compete in the Champions League but he may be considering an exit from the Serie A side to pursue a fresh start elsewhere.
Despite having a contract until the summer of 2025, Maehle could be sold by Atalanta for just £15.5million this summer having divided management at the Gewiss Stadium during the 2021-22 campaign.
As it stands, though, the Hammers are the only team that has registered serious interest in the Danish international who can play on either side of the defence in either a back four or back five.
Go, go, go
What are we waiting for? Let’s go and get this deal in motion now before anyone else spots the bargain that is on offer.
We all watched that remarkable Denmark side defy the hardship in Euro 2020 and Maehle was an integral cog in that machine which, on his day, could be a match-winner.
The importance heaped on modern-day full-backs is greater than ever and the 25-year-old has proven time and time again that he can handle the pressure of having to attack and defend in equal measures.
The wide defensive areas are arguably where West Ham are at their weakest too with Vladimir Coufal and Ben Johnson nothing more than alright on one side and the ageing Aaron Cresswell on the other.
We need a good freshen up at full-back and with such a reasonable price on the table, Maehle has to be one that we make big moves to get at the London Stadium as soon as physically possible.