West Ham United transfer news: Sights set on Quentin Merlin as Manchester City and Celtic consider left-back
West Ham are “closely monitoring” the possibility of signing French left-back Quentin Merlin ahead of a host of European suitors, according to 90min.
The French version of the outlet reported via their website on 3 November that the Hammers and Manchester City have “set their sights” on the Nantes man and have both watched him on multiple occasions.
But there is extensive interest behind the Premier League pair with French, German and Italian sides in the race, along with Scottish champions Celtic.
Top Ligue 1 sides Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon are on his case, while Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig like him, as do reigning Serie A winners Napoli.
The Irons have been looking for competition down the left for Emerson for months now with the expected departure of Aaron Cresswell postponed during the summer.
Overdue
With Cresswell now relegated to definite back-up and thought to have been after a move away from West Ham for some time the club need another option on the left.
Emerson has been solid since his arrival from Chelsea a year ago but the pursuit of Filip Kostic in back-to-back summer windows suggest that it has been an area of need in the eyes of the London Stadium hierarchy ever since.
Despite a decent end to what had been a difficult transfer window earlier this year the Hammers ultimately saw left-back and striker go unaddressed.
The club appear to be active in scouting options ahead of January for various positions so it is no surprise to see them considering full-backs once more.
Merlin, 21, has already established himself as a regular in the French top flight and clearly has plenty of talent in light of the names who are interested in him.
It goes without saying that competition from the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich is difficult to beat on paper, but if there is a greater pathway to game time at the London Stadium it isn’t necessarily impossible.
The Irons overcame PSG for the signing of Gianluca Scamacca last year and have since won a European trophy so if they are serious about this pursuit they should still be in with a shout.
In other West Ham news, a familiar face has emerged as a possible answer up front as a European club is planning to sell after their striker’s asking price went down.