---
title: "Virals: West Ham ‘prioritising’ move for EPL defender William Saliba"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2022/02/04/virals-west-ham-prioritising-move-for-epl-defender-william-saliba/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2022-02-04T07:30:00Z"
modified: "2022-02-04T07:30:00Z"
---

# Virals: West Ham ‘prioritising’ move for EPL defender William Saliba

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2022/02/03/otd-west-ham-beat-nottingham-forest-in-premier-league-clash/) are reportedly ‘prioritising’ a move for Arsenal defender [William Saliba](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/04/nice-want-issa-diop-west-ham-transfer-rumours/) in the summer window.

The 20-year-old is believed to be a top target for the Hammers after a [quiet](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/west-ham-united/transfers/verein/379) January transfer window.

Signed from Saint-Etienne in 2019 for £27million ([Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11770436/arsenal-sign-william-saliba-from-saint-etienne-on-long-term-deal)), Saliba spent the 2019/20 season back on loan at the Ligue 1 club before heading to OGC Nice and Marseille.

According to a report from French outlet [Jeunes Footeux (via Sport Witness)](https://sportwitness.co.uk/west-ham-made-arsenal-player-priority-willing-pay-e30m-sign/), as cited by [West Ham Transfers](https://twitter.com/westhamtransfer) on Twitter, West Ham are keen on the Frenchman.

> West Ham are ‘prioritising’ a move for Arsenal defender William Saliba in the summer, according to reports in France. [pic.twitter.com/rIdAkhDDCc](https://t.co/rIdAkhDDCc)
>
> — West Ham Transfers (@westhamtransfer) [February 3, 2022](https://twitter.com/westhamtransfer/status/1489298032046845952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The report claims that the Irons could put ‘up to €30m’ on the table for the [twice-capped](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/nationalmannschaft/spieler/495666/verein_id/9323) France Under 21 starlet.

Highly rated in France, Saliba – previously [compared to Virgil van Dijk](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/william-saliba-arsenal-van-dijk-21716920) – has earned an impressive [7.13 average Sofascore rating](https://www.sofascore.com/player/william-saliba/941168) from 21 league outings this term.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Under [contract at Arsenal](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-saliba-transfer-bid-marseille-25938634) until June 2024, the French youngster is yet to make a single first-team appearance for the North Londoners.

Holding a market value of £21.6million ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/marktwertverlauf/spieler/495666)), West Ham would likely have to pay over the initial £27million fee to land the ace.

Predominantly a central defender, Sailba can also [operate as a right-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/william-saliba/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/495666) and would therefore offer additional versatility to David Moyes’ ranks.

If at all possible, this is a deal that the Hammers should pursue in the summer.