West Ham United defender Thilo Kehrer is ‘in talks’ to leave the Premier League and return to the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt interested in the Germany international.
That is according to Christian Falk, the German reporter writing in his Caught Offside column.
Thilo Kehrer, a £10 million signing from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2022, has underwhelmed in a West Ham United shirt, beginning his Hammers career with a number of high-profile mistakes and potentially ending it with the odd cameo appearance off the bench.
Kehrer has played only 19 minutes of Premier League football all season.
And, despite his ability to play in a variety of defensive roles, the 27-year-old has failed to nail down a spot either in the centre of defence or at full-back, especially with Vladimir Coufal enjoying some of the best form of his West Ham career on the right.
Thilo Kehrer in talks to leave West Ham United
Falk now believes that a January departure is on the cards for Kehrer, a la Maxwel Cornet. Frankfurt are ‘one of several clubs’ opening talks with the London Stadium benchwarmer.
“Thilo Kehrer is in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt. It could be a very interesting solution for Kehrer,” Falk explains. “They are one of several clubs involved in talks.
“One name I can also say is that of FC Sevilla, who are also involved in the poker. I’m confident that he will make a move in the winter window, though it’s not clear to which league.”
Kehrer has started only four games in all competitions during 2023/24.
Hammers exit likely in January
“Thilo is a brilliant boy who works really hard in training,” West Ham boss David Moyes told the club’s official site before Thursday night’s 2-0 Europa League victory over Freiburg.
“He brings flexibility and he’s hugely important for us with his versatility. (But) it has been tough for him because we have some players who have been performing brilliantly defensively.”
It remains to be seen whether West Ham look to bring in a replacement. The agent of Zenit St Petersburg defender Robert Renan has already rubbished reports linking him with a move to England.
Kehrer, meanwhile, is likely to be joined at Frankfurt by another Premier League misfit, Manchester United’s forgotten man Donny Van de Beek.
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