Norwich City captain Grant Hanley should be a summer transfer target for West Ham United and Leicester, former Premier League winner Chris Sutton writes in his Pink Un column.
And while West Ham supporters might scoff at the idea of a Europa League semi-finalist signing one half of a centre-back partnership who have conceded 66 goals in 32 games this season, it’s worth remembering that Craig Dawson was hardly welcomed with open arms at the London Stadium either.
Less than two years on from his eyebrow-raising arrival from relegated West Brom, there is arguably not a more in-form English centre-back in the game right now than a man brilliantly nicknamed ‘Craig D’Orson’.
Consider expectations confounded. Consider critics red-faced.
Hanley is a defender in the Dawson mould. An old-school, throw-your-body-on-the-line type. The sort of centre-back colossus David Moyes admires.
Will Hanley get a Premier League lifeline?
“There are very few Norwich players who emerge from this season with real credit,” says Sutton. “But Grant Hanley is undoubtedly one.
“If you watch any Norwich game this season, you will have been impressed by Hanley’s performances.
“To throw two clubs out there; Leicester City have struggled with defensive injuries this season and West Ham have been stretched at the back. Hanley would be an excellent addition to both of those clubs, in my opinion.
The long-serving Scotland international, a £3.5 million signing from Newcastle United in August 2017, still has another three years left on his Carrow Road contract.
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West Ham are certainly in the market for defensive reinforcements, on the back of Angelo Ogbonna’s season ending injury. The divisive Issa Diop may depart too with Lyon in talks to sign a man who will become a free-agent in just over 12 months’ time (L’Equipe).
West Ham are reportedly keen on a trio of Bundesliga stoppers; Cologne’s Timo Hubers, Hertha Berlin’s Niklas Stark and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Matthias Ginter.
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