West Ham United active to seal Bradley Locko transfer in late January push
West Ham have begun discussions with French club Brest over a possible January transfer deal to sign left-back Bradley Locko, according to Santi Aouna.
The Foot Mercato journalist reported via his Twitter account on 23 January that the Hammers will look to buy Locko before sending him back to Brest on loan for the rest of the season.
Marseille were previously linked with the Frenchman, but following a breakdown in their interest, West Ham have stepped in to begin discussions leading to a possible deal.
Thinking long-term
A deal for Locko would represent a forward-thinking transfer strategy, bringing in a player who would be allowed to remain with his current club until the end of the season, at which point he would return to the London Stadium.
With Aaron Cresswell’s West Ham contract set to expire at the end of the season, and no new offer on the horizon, it would be a case of one in, one out for Moyes with Locko stepping straight in to replace Cresswell as the backup option for Emerson Palmieri.
Locko has made 18 Ligue 1 appearances so far this season, and at just 21 years old he is gaining more experience and improving his game each week, which will be part of the reason the Hammers are keen to leave him on loan in France.
This type of forward-thinking signing, with a view to the future rather than an immediate resolution to a problem, represents a different route than the ones West Ham has explored in the past and is proof of the change in mentality since the arrival of Tim Steidten.
In other West Ham news, talks over a new signing are now at the final stages.
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