High-flying West Ham United remain keen on signing Brentford star Vitaly Janelt who has enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Premier League.
According to Calciomercato, Premier League side West Ham United are keeping tabs on Brentford star Vitaly Janelt heading into the 2022 summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old came through the youth ranks in Germany before going on to make a name for himself at the senior level with VfL Bochum. His performances grabbed the attention of Brentford, who moved to sign him in 2020.
The German has since thrived under Thomas Frank and is today a key player for the Bees as they look to consolidate themselves as Premier League regulars. With four goals in 25 appearances in the English top-flight, Janelt has left a solid impression on those keeping an eye on him.
A defensive midfielder, the former German youth international has the best years of his career ahead of him. One of the teams keen on taking him on are West Ham United, who continue to impress under David Moyes.
The Hammers are proving that their sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last season was no fluke and have done well in the league and Europe this season. Bringing in the right players is essential to continue the club’s upward trajectory, and Janelt certainly fits that bill.
The Brentford man is a solid presence in the middle of the pitch and excels at tackling and winning the ball back. He could be a perfect fit for a West Ham side that thrives on using such players in the centre of the park.
Securing the German might prove to be more of a necessity rather than a luxury, given the uncertainty surrounding the future of Declan Rice. The Englishman continues to attract attention from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, and his potential departure, provided any club is willing to pay a massive fee of over £150 million, will leave a gaping hole in the West Ham midfield that cannot be left unaddressed.
Furthermore, with Mark Noble set to hang up his boots and Alex Kral unlikely to be signed permanently, West Ham will need to add a fresh face to their midfield department. Janelt might not be at Rice’s level but is a tidy performer who can do a job for David Moyes’s side. Given the right atmosphere to thrive, he could prove to be an inspired acquisition.
The midfielder is also adept going forward and scored twice in Brentford’s shock 4-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Saturday. There is every reason to believe that the German could develop into an all-action midfielder if given the right guidance.
Janelt’s contract at Brentford runs until 2024, and it remains to be seen if he will be open to a switch elsewhere. Brentford, for their part, could have a real gem on their hands, and whether they are willing to part with him to a direct rival is questionable.