West Ham United claim emerges in Saba Goglichidze transfer pursuit
West Ham, Ipswich Town and Wolves have been named as possible landing spots for Empoli defender Saba Goglichidze, according to the Daily Mail.
The news outlet reported on 13 November that the 20-year-old Georgia international could be an ideal buy for a bottom-half Premier League side one day.
The centre-back has also been hailed for his tackling ability and he’s also capable of playing at right-back along with his preferred centre-back position.
While naming the Hammers as a possible landing spot, the report read: “In some ways, Goglichidze is a throwback. Playing on the right of a back three, he is one of the top tacklers in Serie A and is rarely beaten – an impressive record for a side who sit deep and invite pressure.
“Goglichidze, whose idol is Paolo Maldini and made his senior debut for his country in September, is a work in progress. He can appear scruffy on the ball and needs to improve his passing. Yet the raw material is there and he could be an ideal buy for a bottom-half Premier League club one day.”
West Ham are unlikely to pursue Saba Goglichidze for the foreseeable future
Signing Goglichidze might have made strategic sense for the Hammers in the summer but now the ship has sailed.
West Ham have already bolstered their defence with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo, addressing the centre-back and right-back positions.
However, they are in dire need of a left-back, which does not align with the 20-year-old’s skillset.
Although his versatility to play at right-back could be beneficial, his immediate impact might be limited given the competition for spots.
Additionally, at 20, Goglichidze’s development could benefit from another season of first-team football in Serie A to refine his skills, particularly his ball-handling and passing, before transitioning to the Premier League.
This is why it does not make sense for the Hammers to immediately pursue the services of the Georgian.
In other West Ham news, a source has issued an update with regard to Julen Lopetegui’s sack decision in the international break.
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