---
title: "Long not giving up on West Ham move – but is a new centre-back needed?"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2019/08/03/long-not-giving-up-on-west-ham-move-but-is-a-new-centre-back-needed/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Turk"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2019-08-03T11:54:18Z"
modified: "2019-08-03T11:54:19Z"
---

# Long not giving up on West Ham move – but is a new centre-back needed?

New York Red Bulls centre-back Aaron Long isn’t giving up on his summer move to West Ham United and remains hopeful of receiving a work permit before next week’s transfer deadline.

The 2018 MLS Defender of the Year is keen to move to the Premier League and would only cost West Ham £4million, but hasn’t made the required number of appearances for the United States.

He’s one international cap off being viable for a work permit, and has recently vented his frustration at the situation:

> As our biggest ally, it seems strange that a football player from the US can’t automatically get a work visa to play in England.

### Read West Ham Verdict

Going into the 2019-20 campaign, Manuel Pellegrini has Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna, Fabian Balbuena and Winston Reid to select in the heart of the defence.

You have a solid partnership there in Diop and Ogbonna, but you have to question the depth; one or two injuries and the Hammers could be in a bit of trouble.

The American would be a relatively risk-free signing at just £4m, and he’s proven his quality so if a work permit is received, it’d be surprising to see this move fall through.