According to The Athletic, West Ham are interested in signing Jan Bednarek from Southampton, but Aston Villa are leading the race.
What’s the story?
Well, despite the signing of Thilo Kehrer, it seems David Moyes still wants another addition to his centre-back department, amid talks to sign Lucas Paqueta for £51m.
The Athletic believe Aston Villa and Southampton are locked in advanced talks over Bednarek, but West Ham – as well as Leicester – are monitoring the situation.
It is said that Steven Gerrard wants to sign the Poland international initially on loan, as he aims to sign another defender following a serious injury to Diego Carlos.
Bednarek was left on the bench last time out in the Premier League as Southampton recorded a 2-1 win over Leicester, with Ralph Hasenhuttl preferring to start Armel Bella-Kotchap alongside Mohammed Salisu.
Even Lyanco was preferred over the Pole as Hasenhuttl made a late defensive substitution to see the game out.
If Aston Villa, West Ham or Leicester would prefer to sign Bednarek on a permanent basis, it will require a sum of £15m to do so.
Interest in the 26-year-old comes after he made 34 appearances in all competitions for Southampton last season, scoring four goals.
West Ham should leave Jan Bednarek to Aston Villa
In our view, Moyes needs to be wary of overreacting to his issues in the centre-back department by stockpiling too many options.
The signing of Kehrer – a young but experienced Germany international – was a shrewd deal at just £10m.
However, there is no need for another central defender. Nayef Aguerd will return in roughly six weeks, and it is important that Moyes does not make it too difficult for his £28m signing to get back into the starting XI.
Angelo Ogbonna has now regained full fitness, and Craig Dawson is said to be closing in on a return to action as well.
So, if West Ham sign Bednarek, Moyes will have to choose two options from Kurt Zouma, Ogbonna, Dawson, Kehrer, Aguerd and the Poland international to start in defence – that means four players risk being left unhappy.
In our view, it is better to wait for those who are injured to recover, instead of making the panicked signing of Bednarek.
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