West Ham United have set their sights on Hertha Berlin star Niklas Stark, with David Moyes looking for defensive reinforcements.
According to Daily Mail, Niklas Stark has emerged as a target for West Ham. The Premier League outfit is in the market for defensive reinforcements in the upcoming January transfer window, with the Hertha Berlin star emerging as an ideal candidate due to his contract situation at the club.
Stark’s current deal in Berlin expires at the end of the season, and it appears the defender is destined to leave the club either in January or for free next summer. It has put West Ham on red alert, with Stark already garnering quite a lot of attention due to his years of experience in the German top-flight, coupled with his defensive prowess and leadership.
Since joining Hertha in 2015, the former Nuremberg starlet has notched up 180 competitive appearances for the Old Lady. He has emerged as a defensive lynchpin for the club, even notably winning a couple of caps with the German national team back in 2019.
Stark might not be one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. But he is certainly a star figure at Hertha Berlin, having made a solid impression with his ability to marshall the defence as well as read the game. His imposing 1.90m frame gives the German further advantage in physical and aerial duels.
However, after years of mediocrity and lack of sporting success at Hertha, he could be set for a new adventure, with West Ham among the clubs interested in his services. The Hammers were initially interested in a Bosman deal for the 26-year-old. But the recent injury to Angelo Ogbonna has left David Moyes desperate for reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Stark is one among the long list of defenders being tracked by West Ham right now. The list even includes Burnley star James Tarkowski, although the club is set to face stiff competition from rivals Newcastle United in the race to sign the Englishman.
As a result, West Ham are now focusing on Stark, who they believe can leave Berlin for a cut-price deal due to his expiring contract. It remains to be seen how much the Bundesliga club values the German centre-back, but anything below the €15 million mark could make him an absolute bargain for the Hammers as they look to shore up their defensive options in January.