---
title: "West Ham linked with move for ex-Manchester United defender"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2016/05/09/west-ham-linked-with-move-for-ex-manchester-united-defender/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ste Hoare"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2016-05-09T11:47:00Z"
modified: "2016-05-09T11:47:00Z"
---

# West Ham linked with move for ex-Manchester United defender

West Ham are interested in signing defender Rafael da Silva from Lyon in the summer, according to [reports](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2016/west-ham-united-interested-in-rafael/) in France.

The 25-year-old only moved to the French side in August 2015 but that apparently hasn’t put West Ham off trying to buy him.

It’s unlikely that Lyon would want to sell the Brazilian as he’s established himself as the club’s first-choice right-back, displacing Christophe Jallet.

West Ham have found the right-back position a problem area this season. Carl Jenkinson’s season-ending injury meant that his loan deal had to be cut short whilst a combination of injuries and a ban have limited the amount of playing time afforded to new signing Sam Byram.

![Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readwestham.com/readwestham/2016/05/457553224.jpg)

Michail Antonio has filled in to the best of his ability and has done a very good job filling in, but he is a natural winger and teams have looked to exploit him in recent weeks.

Rafael spent seven years at Man United and his experience playing in the top-flight could be a huge benefit if West Ham could get him.