West Ham United have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
According to Turkish outlet Aksam, Premier League side West Ham United have held positive discussions over a summer swoop for Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson after a Tottenham move failed last summer.
Spurs refused to meet Gala’s €25 million Nelsson price-tag
Tottenham signed a new starting centre-back in the summer, bringing in Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg. However, they were also credited with an interest in Nelsson, who was earning rave reviews with his performances in Turkey.
The Lilywhites even made a €13 million bid for the Danish defender, but that was immediately turned down by Galatasaray, who stuck to their €25 million valuation and blocked any further approach from Spurs.
The north Londoners revived their Nelsson pursuit in January after head coach Ange Postecoglou made the addition of a new central defender his main priority after seeing his side struggle during Van de Ven’s spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Eric Dier’s exit to Bayern, and Cristian Romero’s suspension issues.
However, it was Radu Dragusin who eventually arrived from Genoa to act as cover for the first-choice pairing.
West Ham join Victor Nelsson race
West Ham United were scrambling for a new centre-back signing last summer after Thilo Kehrer left the club, with the French centre-back signing for Monaco on loan for the rest of the season.
It was also reported at the time that the Hammers would not oppose the sale of Nayef Aguerd if they were able to sign a replacement at centre-back. However, no such move transpired.
It is now claimed that West Ham will listen to offers for 2022 signing Aguerd in the summer after concerns about his lack of progress in his second season at the London Stadium.
With that in mind, they could capitalise on the interest in the defender that has been developing in Saudi Arabia and Italy.
That will leave Kurt Zouma, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Angelo Ogbonna as the only other centre-backs at David Moyes’ disposal.
Nelsson, who joined Galatasaray in 2021, was a key member of the Turkish Super Lig leaders last season, starting 31 league matches.
His contract does not expire until 2026, yet he has not enjoyed the most productive of seasons in Turkey this time around, making only 14 starts for the club.
With Ogbonna in his thirties, it could be an ideal time to start thinking of potential players who could replace the veteran, and Nelsson has the required qualities to succeed at West Ham.
He has won a league title with Galatasaray along with playing in the Champions League, and, at just 25 years old, he is arguably not even at his peak yet.
