West Ham United have reportedly set their sights on a summer move for Bologna defender Arthur Theate, who could be available for €10 million.
According to Gazetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, West Ham United are considering making a move to secure the services of Belgian centre-back Arthur Theate in the summer transfer window.
Theate spent his youth career at the academies of KRC Genk and Standard Liege in Belgium before moving to KV Oostende in 2020, where he made his senior breakthrough. After a promising debut season, the 22-year-old joined Bologna on a season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy last summer.
Theate has been a mainstay in the backline in his debut season in Italy, making 31 appearances in which he has scored two goals and set up one more. However, despite making a solid impression, Bologna, who will be making his transfer permanent, could decide to move him on in the summer transfer window.
It is because the club are in an iffy financial situation while there seems to be some friction between Theate and manager Sinisa Mihajlovic. As a result, the 22-year-old centre-back, who can also play in the left-back slot, could be allowed to leave for a fee of around €10 million in the summer.
West Ham United have been alerted by this development and are now considering the possibility of signing Theate in the summer. The Hammers will once again be playing European football next season and will need adequate squad depth to get by in all competitions. Angelo Ogbonna will be returning after a lengthy injury layoff, while Craig Dawson is into his thirties.
Plus, with Issa Diop being linked with an exit, West Ham United will need to bring in a top defender to partner Kurt Zouma. There have been links to several centre-backs of late, including Rennes star Nayef Aguerd and Joe Worrall of Nottingham Forest. Now, Theate has also presented himself as an enticing target for the Hammers.
As iterated earlier, a base fee of €10 million could be enough for West Ham to convince Bologna to part ways with the Belgian defender, which is certain to appeal to the London club. With the Serie A side open to sanctioning a sale, it remains to be seen if the Hammers make a formal approach in the coming weeks.
