West Ham United are reportedly eyeing a loan move for Lazio’s Wesley Hoedt.
According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, West Ham United are keen on a loan deal for Lazio defender Wesley Hoedt.
Hoedt, 22, came up through the ranks with his hometown club AZ Alkmaar, making just 26 league appearances for the club before attracting the attention of Lazio.
Wesley Hoedt
The centre back joined Lazio on a free transfer in the summer of 2015, and turned out 25 times for the Serie A side last season, but has played just seven times this season, with only one appearance since the end of October.
That lack of first-team football has triggered speculation over Hoedt’s future at the Stadio Olimpico, with newspaper La Repubblica reporting that two clubs are keen to take him on loan until the end of the season; Hamburg and West Ham.
Lazio’s Wesley Hoedt in action against Gonzalo Higuain
West Ham have been playing a back three under Slaven Bilic in recent weeks, and with James Collins wanted by Crystal Palace (Daily Mail), the Hammers may be keen to bring in a new centre back this month.
With funds needed to bring in a new striker, a loan deal for a new defender would make sense, whilst it would also serve as something of a stop gap whilst Reece Oxford is groomed towards a starting role.
Hoedt, who stands at over 6ft 3in tall, is strong and good in the air, whilst he’s also adept with the ball at his feet, as he possesses a great left foot, meaning he could slot in on the left of West Ham’s back three.
Hoedt could be a low-cost solution for West Ham’s defensive problems, but Bundesliga strugglers Hamburg are also keen to land the Dutchman this month in an attempt to aid their battle against relegation.
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