West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Danish defender Joakim Maehle from Atalanta, with the versatile star set to cost around €18-20 million.
According to Tutto Atalanta, West Ham United have set their sights on Joakim Maehle as a possible target in this window, as David Moyes continues to search for defensive reinforcements. The Atalanta star is reportedly valued at €18-20 million, and the Italian club are willing to sell for that price.
West Ham manager Moyes has some important transfer decisions ahead of him as there are several issues in the squad for him to solve. While the glaring need for a new striker is no secret, the Hammers are in dire need of quality defensive reinforcements.
Having gotten through last season without much defensive depth, Moyes is keen to address those issues and has begun his hunt for viable players to enhance his backline. Nayef Aguerd has already been joined from Rennes, with the player adding depth and quality to the Hammers’ central defensive areas.
The Morrocan can also cover at left-back if needed, although he did not play a single game in the position last season. And that area is where West Ham United need further reinforcement due to the apparent lack of quality options. Aaron Cresswell is their starter there, but Moyes will have to bring a better deputy than Arthur Masuaku, who is likely to be moved on this summer.
Instead, West Ham are linked with a right-back, despite having three players in their ranks for the position. Even though Ryan Fredericks is set to depart as a free agent this summer, Moyes still has Vladimir Coufal and Ben Johnson as quality options.
But surprisingly they are linked with Atalanta’s Joakim Maehle, with West Ham reportedly interested in signing the Danish full-back. The Italian side are not particularly against the deal and would be ready to sell if an offer of around €18-20 million arrives at their doorstep. Tottenham were briefly interested back in May, but they seem to have shifted their focus towards Djed Spence.
Maehle is primarily a right-back but is capable of playing on the left side of the defence as well. Whether Moyes thinks that the Dane is reliable enough as a backup for Cresswell in the left-back position will define whether West Ham United make a move for the Atalanta ace this summer. The Hammers have no dearth of alternatives as they are also in talks with another Serie A-based left-back in Luca Pellegrini.
