West Ham United transfer news as £30m Kyle Walker-Peters valuation emerges
West Ham United transfer target Kyle Walker-Peters could cost the Irons around £30million in the January transfer window, according to Claret & Hugh.
The outlet reported on its website on Saturday [16 December] that a new right-back is high on the Hammers’ priority list and while Walker-Peters is an option, Southampton are reluctant to sell.
West Ham and the Saints do have a good working relationship after David Moyes’ side purchased James Ward-Prowse in the summer and Southampton received Flynn Downes on loan in return which could help the chances of a deal.
Reports emerged from talkSPORT on Thursday [14 December] that West Ham are keeping an eye on the defender’s situation at St Mary’s as he enters the final six months of his contract, as they may be able to reach an agreement on a reasonable deal.
Expensive deal
West Ham could certainly do with a new full-back option in their ranks and Walker-Peters would certainly be capable of offering cover on both flanks if he arrived at the London Stadium during the January transfer window.
However, £30million is no small fee to pay, especially considering the fact that the Irons could sign the 26-year-old on a free transfer come the end of the season and the expiry of his contract on the South Coast.
If Russell Martin’s side miss out on promotion back to the Premier League automatically, which looks likely at the moment, Walker-Peters will likely be reluctant to extend his stay at St Mary’s and therefore the Hammers could swoop to secure his services.
Should Moyes look to add to his side when the January window opens, it seems more likely that he will prioritise a move for a new number nine to finally provide a consistent source of goals at the top end of the pitch for the Hammers.
If that can be done relatively early in the window, maybe then they can consider a £30 million move for Walker-Peters. But that seems unlikely to happen at this moment in time.
In other West Ham United news, Paul Merson has labelled the Irons a “bag of revels” ahead of their clash with Wolves