West Ham United want to sign Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, player free to leave in January
West Ham are one of several clubs to make contact with Chelsea about the signing of Trevoh Chalobah this month, according to HITC.
Writing on their website (5 January), the news outlet report that the 24-year-old defender is free to talk to new clubs about a January transfer as he isn’t in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans.
Chelsea want to sell Chalobah to help with FFP issues, however they may be willing to green light a loan deal for the rest of the season to get him off the books ahead of the summer transfer window.
“Chelsea have told Trevoh Chalobah he is free to talk with interested clubs, with Premier League teams admirers of the Stamford Bridge defender,” they wrote.
“HITC Football understands that, while Chelsea would ideally prefer to cash in on the academy graduate, the London giants have accepted that they may have to green light an initial loan deal for a player who has not kicked a ball this season due to injury.
“HITC Football understand that, while Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Bournemouth are admirers and have enquired about Chalobah in the recent past.”
Quality
Chalobah broke into the Chelsea team from the academy and shone regularly, especially under the tuteage of Thomas Tuchel, but since then he has fallen way down the pecking order.
Graeme Potter couldn’t find a place for him and Pochettino doesn’t want him involved in the team, although injuries this season have meant he hasn’t been available for selection anyway.
There is talk that Nayef Aguerd could be allowed to leave the London Stadium in January and that would mean a new central defender needs to come in, and Chalobah fits the mould of what David Moyes likes.
He is strong, fast, very good on the ball, good in the air and capable of playing in a back-three or a back four equally comfortably. If a loan deal can be done with a view to a permanent deal, then it could be shrewd business.
There is plenty of competition and it won’t be an easy deal to do, but West Ham would have a decent sized gap in the squad if Aguerd leaves and Chalobah could slot right in.
In other West Ham news, leading target named as “shock” transfer mooted at London Stadium.