West Ham have reportedly been alerted to Ipswich Town defender Elkan Baggott’s rejection of his first professional contract and will attempt to lure the 18-year-old to the London Stadium.
This is according to a report from Football Insider, which claimed that the Hammers are joined by Leeds United in their admiration for the teenager and the pair could both try and persuade the centre-back to leave Suffolk this month.
The 1.94m (6ft 5in) defender is highly regarded at Portman Road and made his first team debut earlier this season for the League One club. However, having recently rejected a contract offer, there is serious doubt over his long-term future at Ipswich.
During his senior bow in the EFL Trophy against Gillingham three months ago, Baggott was highly impressive, earning a Sofascore rating of 7.4 whilst helping Ipswich keep a clean sheet, finishing with five clearances and two interceptions in the match.
The Tractor Boys youngster, who was born in Thailand, has represented Indonesia’s under-19s due to his lineage from his mother.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Having already secured the services of one teenage centre-back in this window in Danish 19-year old Frederik Alves, the Hammers are evidently keen on planning for the future.
That is hardly a surprise given the advancing years of current Irons centre-backs Angelo Ogbonna (32), Craig Dawson (30), Fabian Balbuena (29) and Vladimir Coufal (28).
Moyes has previously stated his desire for West Ham to sign young players with high resale potential, a bill which Baggott would fit like a glove.
