By Daniel Feliciano

19th Jul, 2022 | 1:40pm

ExWHUemployee: David Raum priority West Ham United target for left-back

West Ham have identified Hoffenheim’s David Raum as their priority target for left-back this summer according to ExWHUemployee.

The Hammers are keen to bolster their squad and a left-back is seen as a position that needs strengthening with Aaron Cresswell coming to the end of his time at the club and Arthur Masuaku reportedly available for transfer.

Now the club have settled on German international Raum as their top target, but Ex shared on his Patreon that the club have also got two alternative targets identified in case that deal becomes too difficult to do.

“I have been able to clear the names today because I didn’t say them before as the club just wanted to make sure that a few things were discussed,” he said.

“I believe that there’s three left-backs we’re potentially looking at. The priority is David Raum. I had mentioned him before, in fact I’ve mentioned all three before. A German international.

“Moyes’ criteria for the left-back is that they can play left-back and left wing-back, and on the left of midfield if needed so that it gives us options. He also wants them to be good at set plays and set-pieces, because if they’re going to replace Aaron Cresswell whose coming towards the end of his time at West Ham, he’s 32, they’re going to need someone to take those set-pieces because we’ve missed those when Cresswell’s not there.

“He is the first-choice, but there are numerous clubs. Newcastle, ones in Germany all looking at David Raum.

“If we can’t get him over the line or if we can get a better deal, we’ll look at Filip Kostic. He’s a Serbian who played for our semi-final opponents Frankfurt and played very well. He’s kind of more attacking that a traditional left-back. He’s more of a left-wing back and left midfielder, but he can play left-back. He’s also an option there.

“The final option there is Borna Sosa, a Croatian international who plays in the Bundesliga for Stuttgart. I believe that Raum is the priority, followed by Kostic then by Sosa.”

Pressure

West Ham have clearly got big plans and big ideas this summer, and that will increase the pressure and expectations across the London Stadium for the new season.

Raum is a terrific left-back who would be a great improvement on Cresswell currently with the age difference and physicality difference.

Ex has already admitted that it’s a difficult deal to do because of his £30m price tag, which means the alternatives could be more likely but that’s a good thing for West Ham as it means they’re doing their due diligence and not walking into a deal blind.

Sosa has got plenty of suitors in the Premier League too so his quality is clear to see, but there is a bit of confusion around Kostic who is far more of an attacking outlet than a defensive one.

Kostic has shone as a wing-back and playing him as a full-back would certainly be a risk, but Moyes is one of the best defensive coaches around and hopefully he would be able to help if he’s the man to come in.