West Ham United are eyeing up an upgrade to their left-back position if emerging reports are to be believed this week...
What's the word?
According to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, the Irons are keen on signing impressive Atalanta defender Robin Gosens before the end of the transfer window next month.
Speaking on 'The West Ham Way Podcast,' he revealed that the 26-year-old is a key target for David Moyes but none of his full-back choices are close to joining the club.
The likes of Leicester City, Juventus, Inter Milan and even Chelsea have been linked with moves for the German left-back in recent months. However, he could cost around €30m (£27m).
No more Cresswell?
The Hammers flirted with the prospects of relegation last term before Moyes came in and somewhat steered the ship but having failed to sign a single player yet this summer, they could sink towards a similar fate once more.
Two of their biggest problems were in leaking goals and creating chances. Only the bottom four teams let in more than West Ham's 62 goals last season whilst full-backs Aaron Cresswell, Arthur Masuaku, Ben Johnson and Ryan Fredericks combined for just three goals and four assists, per WhoScored.
That's where Gosens would make a huge impact having been one of Atalanta's most influential players. The 26-year-old scored nine goals and provided eight assists from his left-back position and also averaged 1.6 tackles, 1.2 key passes and 1.1 interceptions per game.
He's even ahead of both Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold for expected goals and assists. That's rather outstanding.
This is something that former Lazio defender Roberto Cravero has mentioned, claiming Gosens had been "better" than TAA during the 2019/20 campaign, he told DAZN (via ForzaItalianFootball):
"He is proving to be more decisive than Alexander-Arnold. If we are analysing the season of the Atalanta wing-back, he has collected these numbers without taking free-kicks and corners. Then, clearly, the Englishman is better in overall value, but this season Gosens is doing better."
If the Hammers are serious about bolstering Moyes' squad, then they should look no further than the versatile German playmaker, even if it's going to cost them £27m.
AND in other news, Hammers receive boost over TOP defensive target...