The Athletic: West Ham have not reopened talks over Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car
West Ham have not reopened talks with Marseille over 24-year-old central defender Duje Caleta-Car, according to The Athletic.
Writing on the online news outlet’s website, West Ham correspondent Roshane Thomas has delivered an update on the Croatia international who starred for his country at the recent European Championship.
L’Equipe claimed last night [06/08/21] that the east London club had tabled a £14.4million bid to the Ligue 1 outfit.
However, Thomas wrote on Saturday [07/08/21]: “The Athletic understands the club have not reopened talks with Marseille over Duje Caleta-Car.
“West Ham tried for the Croatia international defender last summer but he turned down a move in favour of playing Champions League football with his French club.”
Options narrowing
Caleta-Car has been linked with a move to the London Stadium for a long while now, even stretching back to last year, but it looks like if there is any interest in him, it is firmly on the backburner.
Instead, it would appear that Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic is at the top of the Irons shortlist, with a move for Chelsea powerhouse Kurt Zouma looking increasingly unlikely.
However, it has been reported that Italian giants Juventus are also in the race to sign Milenkovic [TuttoSport], so that could cause a problem to David Moyes’ pursuit of the Serb.
At this point, West Ham fans probably don’t care which one it is – any one will do as the club leave it late once again to conduct the bulk of the transfer business.
Winston Reid appears unlikely to force his way back into the squad, which leaves just Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop as the only senior central defenders, and another one is needed as soon as possible.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are eyeing up this player after he quit a Premier League last week.
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