West Ham United want Thilo Kehrer and have now started talks to try and sign the Paris Saint-Germain defender as a replacement for Issa Diop.
The Hammers are selling defender Diop to Fulham in the midst of a defensive injury crisis.
Craig Dawson, Nayef Aguerd and Angelo Ogbonna are all out injured whilst Kurt Zouma didn’t exactly look 100% against Manchester City on Sunday.
This all means that West Ham need at least one centre back, possibly even two before the transfer deadline.
A host of names are being mentioned but West Ham’s strongest interest appears to be in PSG talent Kehrer.
West Ham United want Thilo Kehrer
The London Evening Standard report that West Ham are pushing ahead with plans to sign Kehrer this month.
Sky Sports add that West Ham have now held ‘initial talks’ with PSG over a deal to bring Kehrer to East London.
Sevilla are also keen on Kehrer though, meaning West Ham face a real battle to sign the German this summer.
Kehrer, 25, emerged as a top talent with Schalke and PSG swooped in to pay £33million for his services back in 2018.
Now-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel worked with Kehrer at PSG and praised him as a player any coach would want to have in their squad.
Tuchel highlighted Kehrer’s ability to play in any defensive position and even in holding midfield, noting his ability on both feet.
The problem for Kehrer is that he has been a bit-part figure at PSG and played just 63 minutes in PSG’s Champions League campaign last season.
Kehrer is out of contract next summer and West Ham may now be able to pull off a cut-price deal for the defender.
West Ham will have other irons in the fire – no pun intended – but Kehrer’s top-level experience and potential availability for a reasonable price make him very appealing.
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