---
title: "West Ham ‘alerted’ to Elkan Baggott contract rejection"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/01/07/west-ham-alerted-to-elkan-baggott-contract-rejection-ipswich/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-01-07T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-07T07:00:00Z"
---

# West Ham ‘alerted’ to Elkan Baggott contract rejection

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/06/west-ham-offered-chance-to-sign-christian-eriksen/) have reportedly been alerted to [Ipswich Town](https://readwestham.com/2020/11/10/aaron-cresswell-touted-for-england-callup-lineker-jenas/) 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](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-leeds-united-west-ham-race-to-sign-baggott/), 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/elkan-baggott/profil/spieler/758030) (6ft 5in) defender is [highly regarded at Portman Road](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mU8jPFHgi8) and made his [first team debut](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/elkan-baggott/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/758030/saison/2020/wettbewerb/GBFL/verein/677) earlier this season for the League One club. However, having [recently rejected a contract offer](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-leeds-united-west-ham-race-to-sign-baggott/), 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](https://www.sofascore.com/player/elkan-baggott/1066814) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/elkan-baggott/nationalmannschaft/spieler/758030/verein_id/70426) due to his lineage from his mother.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Having already [secured the services](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/december/22-december/west-ham-united-sign-promising-danish-defender-frederik) 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](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/david-moyes-build-new-history-west-ham-a4484576.html).

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](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/28/david-moyes-west-ham-sign-younger-players) for West Ham to sign young players with high resale potential, a bill which Baggott would fit like a glove.