West Ham United have reportedly agreed on a deal to sign 26-year-old Polish defender Jan Bednarek from Premier league club Southampton.
According to a report from Football Insider, West Ham United are set to beat Aston Villa to the signing of Jan Bednarek. The Hammers have an agreement in principle with fellow Premier League club Southampton, and the 26-year-old defender is set to undergo his medical now.
Jan Bednarek has been heavily linked with a move away from Southampton this summer, and it was believed that he would end up at Aston Villa, who were desperate for defensive reinforcements.
Apparently, Steven Gerrard’s side already had a deal in place to bring the 26-year-old defender to Villa Park as a potential cover to the injured Diego Carlos. However, West Ham have swooped in late and hijacked Aston Villa’s move move.
The development will come as a major blow for Aston Villa, and it remains to be seen whether the West Midlands club can bring another defender before the window closes. Aston Villa have made a disappointing start to their Premier League campaign and they are in desperate need of freshening up the squad with new signings.
Meanwhile, West Ham have already strengthened their defence with the signings of Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer earlier this summer. It will be interesting to see if Bednarek can settle in quickly at his new club and make an immediate impact.
The Polish international has been in the Premier League since 2017, and he should have no problems adapting to West Ham’s style of play. A move to West Ham will come as a step up in the 26-year-old defender’s career, and he will be looking to make his mark in European football with the Hammers.
West Ham managed to secure qualification to the UEFA Europa Conference League, and they certainly need a deeper squad to compete on all fronts. Bednarek is a seasoned Premier League defender and there is very little risk involved in the signing. The Polish international will be expected to make an immediate impact once the transfer is finalised. Meanwhile, Aston Villa have their sights on West Ham defender Craig Dawson.