West Ham United lead Premier League trio in race to sign 'colossus' defender King

West Ham United are leading the race to sign Jamaican defender Richard King, according to HITC.

The news outlet reported on 24 September that the Hammers are facing a battle with fellow Premier League sides Brighton, Aston Villa and Newcastle United to sign the 22-year-old, who they describe as a "colossus".

The report goes on to say that each of the four Premier League sides have watched the defender play for club side Cavalier ahead of making a move for him.

West Ham United signing Richard King doesn't make sense

It's fair to say that the Hammers' 2024/25 season so far hasn't quite gone to plan. Julen Lopetegui's side spent big in the summer in order to improve their ranks and at the moment, they're doing worse than they did with David Moyes in charge.

There are many factors to be taken into account regarding West Ham's poor form but the fact that £34million man Jean Clair-Todibo has been sat on the bench week-in and week-out needs to be questioned.

Last term, the Hammers' defence was their main downfall. The club finished the season with the fourth-worst defensive record in the league.

Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma were sold as a result of this and then new faces were brought in.

If the Hammers were to sign Richards he'd likely be nowhere near the first-team quality and the club would find themselves in another situation like Luizao's, where he can't find an exit despite numerous rumours [UOL, 10 September].

In all honesty, that would be no good for either party which is why a move wouldn't make much sense.

In other West Ham news, Guido Rodriguez could face the axe from Julen Lopetegui's starting XI.

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