West Ham make approach to sign centre-back who blew scouts away after Portsmouth rejection
West Ham have started their January transfer window business with a bang.
Almost £50million has been spent already on beefing up Nuno Espirito Santo‘s attacking options, with West Ham signing Pablo from Gil Vicente and Taty Castellanos from Lazio.
However, despite a red-hot start to their winter business, things could not be more different on the pitch with Nuno’s men losing 2-1 to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
As it stands, the Hammers are stuck in the relegation zone, seven points behind Nuno’s former club Forest in 17th.
Although West Ham’s early business has revolved around their attack, many have always thought that the club’s true weakness has been their defence.
Fortunately, irons are now in the fire to improve that area of the squad.
West Ham make move to sign defensive colossus Roggerio Nyakossi
West Ham have been linked with Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell in recent weeks, but Swiss centre-back Roggerio Nyakossi has now emerged on their radar.
The Sun reported on Wednesday evening that the Hammers are “tracking” the 21-year-old, who plays for Belgian side OH Leuven.
It is understood that the East London side have approached Leuven with an enquiry about the 6ft 4 Switzerland Under-21 international, with Southampton and Portsmouth also in the race to sign him.
Portsmouth reportedly saw a £1.5million bid rejected by Leuven in the summer, while their south coast rivals Southampton have registered an interest in striking a deal this winter.
He’s also being tracked by clubs in Serie A and the Bundesliga.
How Nyakossi impressed scouts
The Sun adds that scouts were blown away by Nyakossi’s performance when he shone for Switzerland’s Under-21s in a 1-1 draw with France in November.
Mathys Tel, Leny Yoro, Wilson Odobert and Lesley Uhochukwu were all in the France Under-21s squad for that game.
Domestically, Nyakossi has made 12 appearances in all competitions for Leuven this season, scoring two goals in the process.
Roggerio Nyakossi factfile:
- Date of birth: 13 January 2004 (age 21)
- Place of birth: Geneva, Switzerland
- Position: Centre-back
- Former clubs: Meyrin, Servette, Marseille
- Current club: OH Leuven
- International career: Capped for Switzerland U18s, U19s and U21s
The former Marseille defender has been in and out of the Belgian club’s matchday squad, finding himself an unused substitute on nine occasions in the Pro League.
On the face of it, it’s hard to see how a youngster from Belgium, who was being targeted by Championship clubs in the summer, is going to revolutionise West Ham‘s defence.
However, with the way players like Max Kilman have underperformed this season, the bar is pretty low.
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