West Ham United wanted Duje Caleta-Car but the Marseille defender now looks close to signing for Premier league rivals Southampton.
The Hammers have already signed two centre backs this summer by signing Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer.
Aguerd’s injury has delayed his impact but when you add in Kurt Zouma too, West Ham have three high-profile centre backs moving forward.
David Moyes still wants another one though and it’s all part of a defensive merry-go-round in the Premier League.
West Ham United wanted Duje Caleta-Car
Foot Mercato and TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook report that West Ham have shown an interest in signing Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car.
However, Sky Sports now claim that Southampton are close to completing a deal to sign Caleta-Car to bolster their defensive options.
The reason Southampton want a defender is because they need to replace Jan Bednarek – who is on his way to West Ham according to Sky’s report.
West Ham will then allow Craig Dawson to join Wolverhampton Wanderers, who will in turn sanction Willy Boly’s move to Nottingham Forest.
That’s quite the circulation of centre backs, with West Ham potentially viewing Caleta-Car as an alternative to Bednarek in case that deal broke down.
Caleta-Car, 25, is out of contract in 2023 and Marseille are seemingly happy to sell now before the Croatian international leaves for nothing.
The 6ft 4in centre back made his name with Red Bull Salzburg before joining Marseille in 2018.
Now with 129 appearances for Marseille and 23 caps for Croatia under his belt, Caleta-Car is ready for the big move to England.
Mohammed Salisu and Armel Bella-Kotchap have impressed at the back of late but Caleta-Car can now join as another option at the back.
Missing out on Caleta-Car isn’t all bad news for West Ham though given that it frees up Bednarek, and both deals should go through today.
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