Dean White

Thu 2 June 2022 8:10, UK

West Ham might consider a double raid on Manchester City to sign available defensive duo Nathan Ake and Oleksandr Zinchenko, according to ExWHUemployee.

The reliable Hammers insider reported on his Patreon account on 1 June that Man City are willing to sell Ake, 27, and Zinchenko, 25, this summer and the Irons have previously been interested in them.

It is understood that if a move for Rennes defender Nayef Aguerd is completed, a deal for Dutch defender Ake is unlikely to happen.

However, ExWHUemployee suggests that Ukraine star Zinchenko could rival Aaron Cresswell for the left-back spot at the London Stadium if he was to join.

“Interestingly Manchester City have apparently said that Nathan Ake and Oleksandr Zinchenko would be available for transfer,” said ExWHUemployee via his Patreon account on 1 June.

“We have had an interest in both players in the past and so moves for them might be considered.

“I would imagine if [Nayef] Aguerd does go through we would not sign Ake due to cost and him being left-sided.

“Another thing we brought was the desire to sign a new left-back to challenge Cresswell. Zinchenko would be the perfect man and his set plays also rival that of the former Hammer of the Year.

“Now of course there will be stiff competition from other clubs (Arsenal being one) and all these top targets are going to be expensive so we are not suggesting we will sign anywhere near the amount of targets we have, but it was an interesting development.

“The player prefers to play further forward than left-back too, so this could also be a factor in his decision as to who he joins.”

Zinchenko? Yes, please

While we’re not exactly sold on Ake, Zinchenko would be an incredible addition to the West Ham squad for the upcoming 2022/23 season.

The 25-year-old struggled for game-time at the Etihad in 2021/22, playing just 28 times across all competitions for the Premier League champions and starting just 10 times in the league.

He assisted five goals in his campaign with the Citizens though and also wowed for Ukraine in their World Cup qualifying play-off against Scotland on 1 June.

Zinchenko was easily the man of the match as war-torn Ukraine won 3-1 at Hampden Park.

Scotland legend Ally McCoist was completely awestruck by the Man City left-back’s performance for Ukraine.

Speaking on Sky Sports, as quoted by the Daily Mail, McCoist said: “They were very clever and Zinchenko was the best player on the park. He was absolutely outstanding.”

Graeme Souness was also impressed. He said: “Zinchenko ran the show and I don’t think there were any surprises in what we saw from him tonight. 

“The way he plays at Man City, he flips in and out of playing as a left-back and in the centre of midfield.”

Of course, Zinchenko plays alongside exit-bound Hammer Andriy Yarmolenko for Ukraine so it would be great if he could put in a good word for us.

Zinchenko would be a top-class signing and could even take the starting left-back role off Cresswell while he could also add some much-needed depth in the middle of the park due to his brilliant versatility.

In other West Ham news, an offer has been made to make a behind-the-scenes appointment at the club.

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