West Ham United are keen to shore up their defence by bringing in Olympique Marseille star Duje Caleta-Car on loan this January.
According to 90min, Premier League side West Ham United are interested in signing Olympique Marseille star Duje Caleta-Car on loan in the ongoing January transfer window.
The Croatian international is a rock at the back for the Ligue 1 side. He arrived at the Stade Velodrome from RB Salzburg in 2018 and has since made 106 appearances for the French side. During that time, he has scored four goals and assisted two more. His performances have not gone unnoticed across the channel, with several English sides keeping tabs on the defender.
Liverpool came close to landing the 25-year-old a year ago as Jurgen Klopp’s side struggled to get through a defensive crisis that ruled out all three of their senior centre backs for the season. Unfortunately for the player, the deal fell through, and the Reds then focused their attention elsewhere.
While the opportunity to move to Anfield may have gone, Caleta-Car could yet turn out in the English Premier League, with a high flying West Ham side keen to secure his services on loan for the remainder of the season.
The Hammers sit in the fifth spot in the Premier League and are involved in the race for a Champions League spot. Despite being in a good position, recent results have suggested that David Moyes could do with an infusion of quality. The Scotsman recognizes that and admits that the team will move for only those players who can improve the squad.
West Ham are facing an issue in central defence, with Kurt Zouma only recently returning from an injury while Angelo Ogbonna is ruled out for the season. This leaves a massive void in the heart of the defence, and securing Caleta-Car will help them bridge just that.
Marseille, for their part, are not averse to letting the player go provided they get what they want for him. The Hammers are keen to pursue a loan until the end of the season with an option to make the transfer permanent next summer. Whether it is something the French side will accept remains to be seen.
An aerially strong player, Caleta-Car is also adept with the ball at his feet. The Croatian is certainly an upgrade over what Moyes has at his disposal. Landing him could very well boost West Ham’s chances of keeping opposition attacks at bay. An imposing presence on the field, Caleta-Car will add to West Ham’s physical and direct style of football.
By landing him on loan, Moyes can have a first-hand look at the player’s attributes and then make an informed decision on whether to sign him permanently next summer. At 25, the Croatian star is at the right age to take the next step in his development. A move to London could prove to be just that, although the Hammers are facing a race against time to get the deal over the line.
