---
title: "West Ham looking to sign international defender"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2016/04/15/west-ham-looking-to-sign-international-defender/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ste Hoare"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2016-04-15T09:56:31Z"
modified: "2016-04-15T09:56:31Z"
---

# West Ham looking to sign international defender

West Ham are interested in signing Fenerbahce right-back Gokhan Gonul on a free transfer in the summer, according to a report from Turkish publication [Sabah](https://www.sabah.com.tr/spor/futbol/2016/04/15/gokhan-gonul-west-hama).

The 31-year-old, who has recently returned to first-team action after missing a few weeks with a rib injury, is out of contract in the summer and is said to be seeking a new challenge as he enters the twilight of his career.

The right back position has been one area of concern for West Ham this season. Carl Jenkinson’s injury saw him return to Arsenal early whilst Sam Byram and Joey O’Brien have had fitness issues of their own, meaning central defender James Tomkins or winger Michail Antonio have had to fill in.

![Burak Kara/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readwestham.com/readwestham/2016/04/497579366.jpg)

O’Brien is out of contract in the summer and is likely to leave the club which opens up a space in the squad for Gonul, who can come and battle Byram for the starting role.

West Ham have made it clear that they want to invest heavily on a forward this summer and getting another right-back in on a free will allow them to use their funds to bring in a forward.