Premier League clubs West Ham United and Newcastle United are interested in Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car, ahead of the January window.
According to Calciomercato, Marseille central defender Duje Caleta-Car is attracting interest from Premier League clubs West Ham United and Newcastle United. The centre-back has been consistent enough to be considered reliable for a switch to the Premier League, as a move could transpire in the January window.
Duje Caleta-Car has been a consistent performer for Marseille since signing from RB Salzburg in the summer of 2018. The Croatian has been a regular in the side in his three full seasons while making 33 Ligue 1 appearances last term.
The arrival of William Saliba on loan from Arsenal has rendered him second-choice at the French club, with Luan Peres often preferred to partner the Frenchman at the back. Caleta-Car has managed to play only six times in Ligue 1, and if things continue to remain the same, a move away might become a possibility.
As he was considered a starter for Marseille before the start of the season, the French club refused to entertain offers from the Premier League in the summer transfer window. However, Saliba’s rise may lead them to evaluate Caleta-Car’s future if a decent offer comes in January for the Croatian.
The 25-year-old was subject to a €14 million bid from West Ham United before they signed Kurt Zouma from Chelsea. Wolves were also reportedly interested, as Marseille remained adamant over a refusal to entertain offers. Things might change in January, with quite a few Premier League sides preparing to rekindle their interest.
While West Ham are still keen on a move, Newcastle United are the latest team to register their interest. According to Transfermarkt, Caleta-Car is valued at €18 million, and a bid around that figure could tempt Marseille into doing business as the defender’s contract expires in 2023.
West Ham have three good centre-backs in their ranks, although Craig Dawson and Angelo Ogbonna are both above 30. David Moyes might want a long-term option alongside Zouma at the back for the future, and the team’s recent rise might be able to tempt any player to join them.
Newcastle United are the other club thought to be keen on Caleta-Car. The Magpies are one of the worst-performing defensive sides in the Premier League this season and are looking at multiple centre-back options to improve things at the back. Apart from Caleta-Car, they also have sights on Niklas Sule from Bayern Munich and Burnley’s James Tarkowski.
As for Caleta-Car, he may look at the interest from the Premier League as a step up in his career from the French league. Moreover, he is not playing as many games as last season and might feel a move in January could be the right decision. It will be interesting to see if West Ham are second time lucky in his pursuit or Newcastle beat them for his signing.
