Hertha Berlin have confirmed that Jordan Torunarigha is on his way out of the Bundesliga outfit as West Ham United look to bring the defender to the Premier League, via a statement on the club’s Twitter account.
It emerged last week, from Berliner Zeitung, that the former Germany U21 international was reluctant to extend his contract at the Olimpiastadion.
So Hertha were always likely to listen to offers. Torunarigha is due to become a free-agent in 12 months’ time. Needless to say, it makes sense to sell now rather than risk losing the 24-year-old academy graduate for free further down the line.
Torunarigha’s departure feels like only a matter of time. Hertha Berlin even confirmed on Monday morning that the 6ft 3ins centre-half has left the club’s pre-season training camp in order to seal a move away from the perennial underachievers of German football.
Where he ends up, however, is less certain.
“New week, same hard work,” reads a club statement.
“Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Filip Uremovic & Fredrik Bjorkan are training individually. Jordan Torunarigha has left the training camp to enter transfer negotiations with another club.”
Jordan Torunarigha leaving Hertha Berlin amid West Ham rumours
BZ say that West Ham have made a ‘proposal’. Hertha will reportedly accept a bid of around £4 million.
Belgian outfit KAA Gent appear to be in pole position at this stage. Torunarigha impressed during a short-term loan spell at the Jupiler League outfit in 2021/22 (Het Nieuwsblad). And West Ham’s pursuit may rest on what happens regarding Issa Diop’s future at the London Stadium.
Fulham appeared to be closing in on the Frenchman last week but negotiations appear to have stalled. Should Diop stay – alongside Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma and Craig Dawson – it’s hard to see where another central defender fits into David Moyes’ plans.
“I have been really impressed by Nayef Aguerd,” Moyes said following West Ham’s 1-1 friendly draw with Reading over the weekend.
“There will be elements of his game that will need to take time. And probably the biggest thing will be just adapting to the Premier League as far as I’m concerned. But he’s a very good player, a good footballer. We know that.
“Hopefully we get to see that from him in the coming months and years.”
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