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Report: West Ham make first contact to try and beat Newcastle to ‘new Varane’

Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
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MONACO, MONACO - NOVEMBER 04: Benoit Badiashile of AS Monaco looks on during the UEFA Europa League group B match between AS Monaco and PSV Eindhoven at Stade Louis II on November 04, 2021 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

West Ham United have made contact with the entourage of Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile as they look to beat Newcastle United to his signature.

That’s according to French outlet Foot Mercato, who claim that West Ham are ‘very interested’ in signing Badiashile this month.

Both West Ham and Newcastle have now contacted the representatives of Badiashile to establish interest in a possible move.

Monaco may not love the idea of selling Badiashile in the middle of the season, but the defender is a man in demand.

Badiashile, 20, has started nine league games for Monaco this season with an additional three substitute appearances.

The French talent is a huge presence at 6ft 4in tall, but is also impressive playing out from the back.

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 21: (BILD OUT) Benoit Badiashile of AS Monaco controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League group B match between PSV Eindhoven and AS Monaco at PSV Stadion on October 21, 2021 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Badiashile is also left-footed, fitting the mould of what Newcastle want after links to Sven Botman and Nico Schlotterbeck.

West Ham may also fancy a long-term left-footed centre back given Angelo Ogbonna’s injury and age.

Badiashile won’t come cheap, especially having been branded as ‘the new Raphael Varane’ when Real Madrid wanted him in 2020.

That’s exciting for any Newcastle and West Ham fans, with the two sides seemingly favourites for Badiashile as things stands.

KHARKIV, UKRAINE - AUGUST 25: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Benoit Badiashile of AS Monaco looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League Play Offs Leg Two Match between Shakhtar Donetsk and AS Monaco at OSC Metalist on August 25, 2021 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Photo by Stanislav Vedmid/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Photo by Stanislav Vedmid/DeFodi Images via Getty Images