Everything Michael Carrick has said about West Ham January target Rav van den Berg
Michael Carrick is a big fan of West Ham United's January transfer target Rav van den Berg.
The Hammers are already looking ahead to the winter window after several ins and outs this summer.
The Irons were able to keep key players like Jarrod Bowen, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Tomas Soucek, but may need a boost with recruits this winter window to get over the line in the race for promotion.
Defence is an area which currently looks strong on the surface, but one or two injuries could seriously harm the club in what will be a tough slog in the Championship.
Nuno Espirito Santo and Co. will also have one eye on players who could potentially grow with West Ham if they get back to the Premier League, while others could leave if promotion is achieved.
Van den Berg would offer further depth and room for growth at West Ham; someone who Carrick loved at Middlesbrough.
What Michael Carrick has said about Rav van den Berg amid West Ham links
West Ham are said to be plotting a January move for van den Berg, who is struggling for minutes with Bundesliga side FC Koln.
The 22-year-old joined the German side in 2025, expecting to use them as a stepping stone like Middlesbrough, but the transfer has yet to work out for either party.
It's said that the Netherlands U21s star is keen on a move back to England, where he dreams of playing in the Premier League.
Van den Berg won Boro's Young Player and Player of the Year after an impressive 2023-24 campaign under Carrick, and the now-Manchester United boss always made his admiration for the young defender known.
Carrick said, as quoted by The Northern Echo in May of 2024: "You can’t help but be impressed by Rav.
"He’s just got a real calming presence, Rav. He wants to learn, has a great attitude, and we’re really lucky to have him as part of the group."
Carrick also said in the same season, as quoted by vi.nl: "I think for that age, his consistency level is so good.
"You'll be tested when you defend one-on-one against good attackers who have your hands full, but he's done a very good job. He is authoritative, and he feels comfortable in the right way. He's actually been great all season."
Middlesbrough sold the centre-back for a fee in the region of £11m, but there have been rumours that West Ham can get him for a discounted price in the winter.
Why West Ham should not be concerned by van den Berg's Koln failings
West Ham could be signing someone in van den Berg, who was heavily tracked by the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Roma and other European giants before moving to Boro.
The defender previously admitted why he chose the Teessiders over some huge European sides, acknowledging that it was the best move for his development.
He racked up over 50 appearances in the Championship under Carrick across two promotion-pushing campaigns, and knows what the division is all about.
His pace and ball-playing abilities are something that the Irons currently lack, and he would give Nuno another option in defence, possibly opening up the opportunity for the head coach to deploy three centre-backs.
Van den Berg will feel he hasn't had enough starts to show his true qualities for Koln, as West Ham could get themselves a future Netherlands starter for a bargain price in January.