West Ham have been named as one of the clubs interested in making a move for Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner.
The report from the Daily Mail has stated that the Hammers, as well as London rivals Fulham, are eyeing up a move for the 23-year-old German.
Premier League scouts have reportedly been alerted to his superb performances in the MLS this season, and a future move to London could be on the cards.
Wagner has played 17 times in 2020 for Union, including six in the MLS is Back competition, scoring once and supplying two assists. In 49 games in total for his current club, he has set up eight goals from left-back [Transfermarkt].
Valued at just over £1m by Transfermarkt, the report claims a fee of £3.5m would be enough to secure the defender’s services. His team-mate Aurelien Collin has hailed the German left-back as “a fighter” for the mentality he has shown since his transatlantic move.
Born in Geislingen an der Steige, the 23-year-old headed Stateside in February 2019 for €275,000 from German second-tier side Würzburger Kickers, having previously been on the books of both Schalke and Augsburg.
After what can easily be described as an unconventional route to his current level, Wagner’s next move could be by far and away the biggest leap of his career to date.
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David Moyes has been keen to add a younger nucleus to his squad at London Stadium, particularly in defensive positions, and any move for the young German would be another nod towards that.
In previous seasons, the regular left-back has been Aaron Cresswell, although now the 30-year-old operates as an auxiliary centre-back with Arthur Masuaku at wing-back.
The potential arrival of Wagner could put pressure on Masuaku, a naturally attack-minded player, to perform in order to hold down his position.
