Robin Bairner has told Give Me Sport that West Ham are likely to reignite their interest in Rennes defender Arthur Theate after missing out to the Ligue 1 side in the summer – having left Bologna for Rennes for a fee of £19million.
Theate, 22, has been excellent for Rennes since joining the club. The Belgium international did well at Bologna last season and it generated plenty of interest in him. Gazzetta Dello Sport say West Ham were considering Theate.
Since his move to Rennes, he has been solid. Forming a partnership with on-loan Tottenham defender and Wales international Joe Rodon, he has started 19 of Rennes’ 20 games. He was rested in the last Europa League game.
Rennes have lost just twice in those 19 matches when Theate starts, winning an impressive 11 times. He has scored twice himself, and helped Rennes keep four clean sheets – conceding 20 goals. He remains on West Ham’s radar.
That is according to Goal reporter Robin Bairner, who has told Give Me Sport that West Ham retain an interest. While a move to sign Theate is unlikely to arise in January, they could re-enter the market for Theate next summer.
West Ham likely to reignite Theate interest: £19m star shining in France
Theate is a real talent. Belgium have been renowned for their older central defenders, but they have a new crop of young stars coming through. Leicester’s Wout Faes is one, and the other is Theate. He could be at the World Cup.
Having been bought for £19million by Rennes, and now shining in France, his value is only going to go up. That is, especially if Roberto Martinez calls him up to the Belgium squad and he plays. He might be north of £30million.
But with Craig Dawson out of contract next summer and Angelo Ogbonna likely to revert to squad player, West Ham could do with another option at centre-back to rival Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma. Theate would be a super signing.
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