---
title: "Journalist claims club in ‘direct talks’ to land ‘unbelievable’ signing"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2022/09/14/west-ham-united-zagadou-update-transfer-news-rumours-moyes-hammers/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Niall Keenan"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2022-09-14T06:30:00Z"
modified: "2022-09-14T06:30:00Z"
---

# Journalist claims club in ‘direct talks’ to land ‘unbelievable’ signing

**West Ham appear to be moving closer to the signing of centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou.**

David Moyes has already brought in Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer to strengthen his options in defence but with uncertainty surrounding the future of [Craig Dawson](https://thisisfutbol.com/2022/09/blogs/premier-league/west-ham-united/west-ham-united-news-whufc-transfer-rumours-craig-dawson/), who could be let go in January, it appears that the east London club are intent on bringing in a replacement.

According to te Portuguese transfer guru Pedro Almeida, who posted on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pedrogva6/status/1569411696506150914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1569411696506150914%7Ctwgr%5E332e3b0e078a62fcdac4593171110b5c24f7f8e6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.football-addict.com%2F%2Fen%2Farticle%2Fmanchester-united%2Fin-direct-talks-journalist-says-west-ham-could-soon-sign-23-y-o-manchester-united-target%2Fhttpss%3A%2F%2Fwww.football-addict.com%2Fen%2Farticle%2Fmanchester-united%2Fin-direct-talks-journalist-says-west-ham-could-soon-sign-23-y-o-manchester-united-target%2F632038d65770b600095c9d2d%3Futm_campaign%3Drss), the Hammers are in ‘direct talks’ with the former Borussia Dortmund defender having been [previously linked](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/19439598/west-ham-dan-axel-zagadou-transfer-roma-borussia-dortmund/) with the Frenchman this summer.

He tweeted: “Zagadou (to) West Ham. English club is in direct talks with French player’s agent.”

The 23-year-old made [92 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dan-axel-zagadou/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/344598) for Borussia Dortmund before his contract expired at the end of last season.

That was across a span of five seasons though, as Zagadou struggled with injury.

Knee surgery back in 2021 kept him out for almost [200 days](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dan-axel-zagadou/verletzungen/spieler/344598) but the underlying numbers suggest that when he is available he can be a very dependable player at the back.

Over the past year, he ranks in the 99th percentile among centre-backs across Europe for passes attempted with a 89.2% pass completion rate, while also ranking in the top 10% for aerials won (4.66), progressive carries (5.14), and progressive passes 4.58 per 90 minutes ([Fbref](https://fbref.com/en/players/a4effc55/Dan-Axel-Zagadou)).

His ex-teammate Julian Brandt dubbed his performance against Union Berlin earlier this year as ‘unbelievable’ and he could prove to be a fantastic pick-up for the Irons, especially on a free transfer.