According to CalcioNapoli24, West Ham are set to meet with Riccardo Bigon – Director of Football at Bologna – to discuss the signing of Jerdy Schouten.
What’s the story?
Well, those at West Ham are worried about losing Declan Rice this summer, and as a result, have started to identify potential replacements.
One name on West Ham’s shortlist is Schouten, who has impressed in Serie A with Bologna this season.
CalcioNapoli24 believe Inter Milan are also interested in the 25-year-old, but the Hammers are said to be most serious about signing the Dutchman.
Bigon will also meet with Arsenal, Tottenham, Brentford, Newcastle and Everton to discuss their interest in other Bologna players.
One of those could be Aaron Hickey, who Arsenal are said to be very interested in bringing to the Premier League.
The Scottish left-back has scored five goals in 34 Serie A outings this term.
So far this season, Schouten has made 16 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal while also providing one assist.
West Ham must be wary of Jerdy Schouten
In our view, West Ham must be wary of the Spijkenisse-born midfielder, as he’s suffered a number of injury problems this season.
While Rice is basically an ever-present for the Hammers, Schouten could be the exact opposite – something Moyes won’t want to take on.
The Bologna No.30 has missed six games this season due to muscle fatigue, while also missing 11 games due to pubis bone irritation.
Moyes has Mr Dependable in Rice, so if he were to replace him with someone who can’t always be relied on, it might not go down too well with the West Ham supporters.
Having said that, Rice is among the best midfielders in Europe at the moment, so it will be extremely difficult to find someone capable of replacing him.
Keep an eye on this situation, as anything could happen this summer.
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