West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing 22-year-old Belgian international Arthur Theate from Stade Rennais.
According to a report from Give Me Sport, Arthur Theate is on West Ham United’s radar. And the Hammers could make their move to sign the 22-year-old defender at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Theate was linked with a move to the London club before his move to Rennes, and it will be interesting to see if West Ham can bring him to England this time around.
Journalist Rob Bairner told Give Me Sport, “Whether it’s quite the time to take a chance on him, I would be a little bit surprised. This is a move that I would expect to see develop over the course of the season. I wouldn’t imagine it will happen in January, but potentially next summer. They could revisit it then.”
The player has a contract with the French club until the summer of 2026, and his signing won’t be cheap. West Ham will thus have to pay a premium if they want to secure the services of the Belgian international.
The Premier League outfit signed Nayef Aguerd from Rennes at the start of the season, and it remains to be seen whether they can use their existing relationship with the French club to negotiate a deal for Theate.
It is no secret that David Moyes needs to improve his defensive unit, and Theate would be a quality long-term signing for his side. The 22-year-old could form a reliable partnership with Nayef Aguerd at the heart of West Ham’s defence. A strong back four could improve the Hammers substantially.
They have been quite vulnerable this season, and the Hammers will need to tighten up at the back if they want to challenge for European qualification.
West Ham have a negative goal difference so far this season, and they have conceded 15 goals in the league already. Despite having a top-class defensive midfielder in Declan Rice, they have been vulnerable at the back and the Hammers must look to address that problem as soon as possible.
A move to the Premier League would be a big step in the Belgian international’s career as well. Playing alongside better teammates and opposition could accelerate the 22-year-olds development.
