West Ham United want Jan Bednarek and are preparing a new push to rival Aston Villa for the Southampton defender’s signature this week.
The Hammers claimed their first win of the season on Sunday afternoon, beating Aston Villa 1-0 thanks to Pablo Fornals’ goal.
Both sides really needed the win but West Ham claimed all three points, heaping pressure on Steven Gerrard in the process.
The attention now turns to the transfer market, and West Ham will be hoping to secure another victory over Villa.
West Ham United want Jan Bednarek
Fabrizio Romano reported just a couple of days ago that Villa are ‘optimistic’ of signing Bednarek after talks with Southampton.
Villa are in the market for a new defender having seen summer signing Diego Carlos pick up a major injury.
Bednarek seemingly isn’t in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans at Southampton and he can now leave before Thursday’s deadline.
Yet whilst Villa are chasing a loan-to-buy deal for Bednarek, they have major competition from West Ham.
The Athletic did note that West Ham are keen on signing Bednarek with David Moyes still chasing new additions.
The Mirror (28/08, p72) report that West Ham are preparing a real push to sign Bednarek this week.
It’s stated that West Ham will go head-to-head with Villa in the coming days for Bednarek, meaning Villa’s move isn’t on the verge of completion by any means.
Bednarek, 26, joined Southampton from Lech Poznan for £5million in 2017 and has now racked up more than 150 appearances for the Saints.
Yet with Mohammed Salisu and Armel Bella-Kotchap nailed down as Southampton’s starting centre back pairing, Bednarek can go.
The atmosphere around Villa after Sunday’s defeat is bad enough, but if West Ham follow up those three points by beating Gerrard’s men to Bednarek, the mood may only worsen.
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