- West Ham United are expected to explore the centre-back market regardless of survival outcome
- The Hammers have begun intermediary works for Roma’s Jan Ziółkowski
- Enquires have been made for two other talents on the continent
West Ham United’s ongoing bid for Premier League survival has reportedly not halted the club’s summer transfer window plans.
The Hammers are in the division’s relegation zone, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur in 17th, with three matches remaining. Although the club’s buisness – outgoings and incomings – remins to be finalized, there are areas in Nuno Espírito Santo’s side that will simply need to be addressed regardless of their league status.
One of those problem positions will be centre-back. As it stands, Konstantinos Mavropanos is the only credible option on the club’s first-team books beyond this season; the Greek’s defensive partner and loanee Axel Disasi will return to Chelsea in the summer. Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman have seen their future in east London thrown into doubt after a string of poor performances.
A flurry of names have been quoted as targets for West Ham, with the latest from Italy.
West Ham in race for Roma’s Jan Ziólkowski
An intermediary has reportedly initiated talks with West Ham for Roma’s Jan Ziólkowski, according to Sports Witness. The defender has fallen into the peripheries of Gian Piero Gasperini Champions League-chasing side since the turn of the year and is anticipating an exit.
Ziólkowski, 20, joined Italy’s capital club from Legia Warsaw for €6m last year after making 40 appearances for the latter’s first-team. The right-sided centre-back is seen as one of Poland’s rising talents, with three caps for the international team, and is “seeking more playing time,” says the report, to further his growing reputation.
Another factor to consider in negotiations is Roma’s financial fair play position. The Giallorossi, like most Italian clubs, are operating with tight coffers, and that would be more pronounced with European qualification given UEFA’s rules.
Roma wants €20 million (£17.2 million) for Ziólkowski’s permanent departure, and West Ham is “foremost” in the competition for his signature.
West Ham have also been cited with interest in Bayern Munich’s Hiroki Ito and Paris FC’s Moustapha Mbow.
