West Ham United ready to seal Alfie Doughty transfer in new update
West Ham United want to sign Luton Town left-back Alfie Doughty this summer but face competition from Crystal Palace, according to GiveMeSport.
Luton’s near-certain relegation from the Premier League will see clubs circle for the talented 24-year-old, and the West Ham are hoping they’ll win the race ahead of both Palace and Wolves.
Reportedly incoming manager Julen Lopetegui is keen to add to his defensive stocks at the London Stadium, with left-back one of the positions in which the Hammers undoubtedly need to strengthen.
It is reported that Doughty’s impressive performances for the embattled Hatters have won him many suitors in the top flight, and it looks increasingly unlikely that he’ll still be playing at Kenilworth Road in the second tier next season.
Will West Ham United sign Alfie Doughty?
West Ham have one hell of a summer rebuild on their hands, with departures expected to be in double figures as Lopetegui’s Irons squad takes shape over the next few months.
With Aaron Cresswell out of contract this June and Emerson Palmieri putting in several below-par performances this season, left-back arguably needs more attention than any other at the London Stadium.
The attacking qualities of Doughty, who has operated almost exclusively at left wing-back for Luton this season, would bring a new dimension to the Hammers’ attack; a huge step up from both Cresswell and Emerson.
Doughty could potentially be exposed as part of a flat back four, but Lopetegui’s rumoured targets in the centre of defence are again superior to the current options at West Ham’s disposal.
An England call-up has even been mooted for Doughty, so impressive has his form been this season, and the 24-year-old need only look at the rises of Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice for a club to stake his international claims at.
Kenilworth Road and the London Stadium couldn’t be more different if they tried, but with a brand new project beginning at West Ham this summer, adding Doughty to the mix would certainly give Lopetegui’s side a dynamic presence down the left edge.
In other West Ham news, Martin Keown has tipped David Moyes to go out with a bang against Manchester City.
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