Caleta-Car now top target for West Ham, outside chance of deal being done
Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car is the number one transfer target for West Ham in the final stages of the January window, according to talkSPORT.
The radio station reports that there’s an “outside chance” of the Irons being able to pull off a last-ditch deal for the 25-year-old, who is valued at £20million by Marseille.
TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook reports that if the Hammers were to sign Caleta-Car, it would have to be a permanent deal for Marseille to agree to selling the Croatia international.
“It’s been a frustrating window for West Ham, but they are actively scouring the market to try and strengthen ahead of the deadline,” said Crook on the talkSPORT website.
“They’re still very much in the Europa League, they’ve got designs on the top-four in the Premier League and that will be difficult.
“A centre-back and a striker are high on David Moyes’ wanted list. And that centre-back could be Marseille’s Croatian international Duje Caleta-Car.
“He’s an excellent player and I’m led to believe it’s only an outside chance that he goes to West Ham at this moment in time.
“I think it would have to be a permanent transfer, with Marseille asking for as much as £20m.
“But keep an eye on it. If they don’t get anybody in, not only Moyes but West Ham fans in general will be disappointed.”
Our only signing
It would be quite disappointing if Caleta-Car is the only player we sign this month.
Moyes definitely needs to strengthen his defensive options and signing Caleta-Car would obviously add some depth as he’ll be a new option.
However, is a fringe player at Marseille really going to make our side considerably better?
It’s mad that the Ligue 1 club is demanding £20million for the Croatian centre-back.
Caleta-Car has played just 15 times in all competitions for Marseille this season, playing in 11 of 21 Ligue 1 fixtures for the south France club.
He’s been in and out of the squad so is he going to be a better choice than Kurt Zouma or Craig Dawson?
Angelo Ogbonna is out for the rest of the season so we do need to get another player in.
But we just don’t believe that spending £20million on someone who’ll effectively be a short-term back-up option is good business.
In other West Ham news, Kaveh Solhekol dropped a major Hammers transfer update live on Sky Sports News last night.