West Ham United set sight on Joakim Maehle, bid expected in next few days
West Ham have set their sight on Atalanta defender Joakim Maehle this summer, according to a report from Tutto Atalanta.
The website covering Atalanta of the Tuttomercatoweb network, reports on 28 June that the Serie A club value the player at around £15m (18m Euros).
The report also adds that the Hammers are expected to “lunge” a move, read as to make a formal attempt, in the next few days to sign the defender.
Interesting
Maehle joined Atalanta in 2020 from Genk and has made 60 appearances for the club.
He is a regular member of the Danish national team, and has managed 29 caps for his country, scoring nine goals.
He is primarily a left-back but is well capable of playing as a right-back as well.
Last season he made 15 starts for Atalanta, and a further 11 appearances have come from the bench.
Most of his appearances have come either from playing as a left-back or as a left-sided midfielder. However, he also made six appearances playing as a right-back.
Is he the modern-day Denis Irwin?
Well, the Hammers don’t need another right-back, as they already have Ben Johnson and Vladimir Coufal, but they do need another left-back this summer.
Aaron Cresswell did well at times but made some costly blunders in big games, while Arthur Masuaku is set to leave.
The Danish defender could be a brilliant signing but the Hammers need to pay a handsome fee to get him.