West Ham are keen to strengthen their squad in the run-up to the end of the season, with the club targeting a top 4 finish, which would be their highest finish in Premier League history and would consolidate on the fifth-placed finish they managed last campaign.
Currently fifth, but having played more games than both Tottenham and Arsenal below them, it will require a mammoth, some might even say “massive” effort for the Hammers to snatch the final Champions League spot come the end of the season, with their thin squad set to be stretched further when Europa League football kicks off again next month.
Yet to make additions, the club realistically need at least two new faces come January, and both to hit the ground running, to stand a chance. At the top of the pitch, they must find an alternative striker to Michail Antonio: current alternative Jarred Bowen is just as important in his natural winger berth, and cannot play every game.
But, it is at centre back that David Moyes is looking to make his first January addition, in the form of Marseille’s Caleta-Car. As per The Athletic:
‘Michail Antonio continues to lead the line without serious competition but West Ham are weighing up a move for Marseille and Croatia centre-back Duje Caleta-Car.’
Not a straightforward deal
It is easy to see why West Ham need another defender, with Angelo Ogbonna sidelined for the rest of the season with injury, and Kurt Zouma having only just returned from his own spell out.
But a deal for Caleta Car would not be straightforward. The Hammers are thought to be keen on a loan move for the defender, who has 18 months left on his current deal in France. On the other hand, Jorge Sampaoli and co. would prefer a permanent move, while the defender still retains some value to the French club.
Obviously, a loan move with an option or obligation to buy would be the most sensible compromise, but it remains to be seen whether such a compromise will be reached in the last week of the transfer window.
