Why Rav van den Berg was absent from FC Koln squad as West Ham plot new transfer already

West Ham United are keen on a January move for FC Koln defender Rav van den Berg.

The Hammers will see the winter window as their opportunity to consolidate the squad ahead of the Championship's run-in.

The Irons have already had a good start to the season, considering that their best is yet to come, as they sit third after nine games.

But Nuno Espirito Santo's side will want reinforcements in the winter, with van den Berg currently on their shopping list.

The centre-back has had a hard time since moving to Germany from Middlesbrough, but is still expected to reach the top at some point in his career.

Van den Berg has an important stretch ahead of the winter with West Ham lurking, but Koln's latest update causes a new twist.

FC Koln offer Rav van den Berg update amid West Ham interest

West Ham were keen on van den Berg in the summer, with the likes of Everton and other European clubs also interested.

It's understood that the Bundesliga outfit were asking for a price as high as £17million for the defender.

But the 22-year-old has struggled to get game time for the German side so far this season, as a cut-price deal could now be on the cards for the Hammers in January.

Figures in the region of £12m have been suggested, but Koln also know that his value is rapidly dropping.

Koln beat Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 in the Bundesliga on Sunday, but van den Berg was absent from the squad.

The club confirmed that the centre-back was not available due to injury, with further details revealing that it's a muscle-related issue.

Koln's plan was to see how much van den Berg could improve up until the winter window before making a decision on his future, but an injury may change the whole dynamic.

If anything, West Ham could have an even better chance of landing a cut-price transfer, with the player now out of action for an unconfirmed period of time.

Why van den Berg would be an educated move from West Ham

Van den Berg has yet to play a single minute for Koln this season, so an injury will not help his chances of getting into the team ahead of the winter window.

The Dutchman only played 14 times for the German outfit last season, despite making an £11.2m switch from Middlesbrough.

At Boro, he won Fans' Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season in the 2023-24 campaign, which was his debut season in England as a teenager.

He helped the Championship side make two pushes for promotion under Michael Carrick, who was vocal in his praise of the young defender.

Van den Berg would give Nuno some added pace in defence, as well as the potential to play in the Premier League in the future.

Perhaps his latest injury is the best thing for West Ham from a financial standpoint.