West Ham United wanted Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson in January.
West Ham United face a crucial away trip this weekend, as they will be heading to the Liberty Stadium in order to take on Swansea City in a vital game in the relegation scrap.
The Hammers have suffered heavy away defeats in their last two trips, first losing 3-1 at Brighton before a 4-1 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday, meaning David Moyes’ men aren’t safe just yet.
West Ham sit just three points clear of the relegation zone, and Saturday’s opponents Swansea can move level on points with the Hammers with a win, highlighting the importance of the game.
West Ham boss Moyes will also be able to see one of his reported transfer targets in action, given that he is allegedly keen on signing Swansea centre back Alfie Mawson.
The Sun reported in January that West Ham wanted to launch a £25million move for Mawson, though Swansea seemingly stood firm and kept their star defender at the Liberty Stadium rather than selling to a rival.
Mawson, 24, has starred for Swansea since his 2016 move from Barnsley, emerging as one of the top young English defenders in the country, and West Ham were keen to offer the former Brentford man a return to London.
With Jose Fonte sold to Dalian Yifang, it’s now imperative that West Ham bring in a young centre back this summer to feature alongside the more experienced Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna and James Collins, with Mawson fitting the bill.
Saturday may become something of an audition for Mawson and a potential move to West Ham, as an impressive display may just cement Moyes’ view that Mawson can boost West Ham’s back line – especially if the Swans suffer relegation this season.
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