West Ham United eye Bastien Meupiyou as Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma head for exit
West Ham are interested in signing young defender Bastien Meupiyou from Nantes, according to HITC.
A report on the outlet’s website on 14 August said that the Irons like the teenage centre-back amid widespread interest from France and England, with Wolves leading the race to sign him before the deadline.
Tottenham and Everton are also fans but a second bid of £4.3million has already gone in from Molineux where the Irons’ purchase of Max Kilman has helped spark the move.
The Julen Lopetegui favourite has been followed in at the London Stadium by Jean-Clair Todibo, but Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd could both yet leave after Angelo Ogbonna departed earlier this summer.
West Ham are already in talks with Nantes over a possible move for Nathan Zeze [Sport Italia, 9 August] so lines of communication are already in place if they wanted to do a double-deal for Meupiyou.
Wolves lead race for defender after losing Max Kilman to West Ham
Kilman and Todibo’s arrival has helped reshape the backline in impressive fashion but if senior players leave the manager could be left short.
Zouma’s departure to Shabab Al-Ahli has collapsed after the Frenchman failed a medical but Tim Steidten is now engaged in ongoing talks with other clubs to find a new taker, as well as negotiations over a move for Aguerd [TBR Football, 13 August].
If both depart that would only leave the Hammers with three natural centre-backs and recent seasons have proven that an injury crisis can strike at any minute.
Even the third option, Konstantinos Mavropanos, is said to be available to leave just one year after arriving at the London Stadium [HITC, 10 August] as it appears Lopetegui and Steidten are open to stretching the overhaul as far as it will go.
But whether the Irons want to getting into a bidding war with Wolves for a youngster who has just one senior appearance in his career so far is perhaps unlikely.
The 18-year-old had a nightmare debut as he was sent off inside the first 10 minutes last season, and Wolves have plenty of money to spend after also selling Pedro Neto to Chelsea.
Just as at the striker position the primary work is done but Steidten doesn’t look like he is finished yet, but this deal may not be a priority.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are ready to make a big-money offer to sign another striker and it will be accepted.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.