West Ham United are said to have made their first step in securing a reported defensive transfer target.

That is according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg who claims that West Ham have made an initial enquiry for Hertha Berlin defensive star, Jordan Torunarigha.

As per the report, it is said that the 24-year-old German could be available for €5m (£4.3m) this summer.

The next Rudiger

As a left-footed German centre-back who has played his football as a left centre-back in a back three this season, Torunarigha naturally draws comparisons to new Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger, aside from their shared nationality and position on the pitch.

Standing at 6 foot 3 and 6 foot 2 respectively, both the £36m-rated Rudiger and Torunarigha are immaculate in the air, with the former achieving a 69.6% aerial duels win rate, whilst the latter betters that total with an average of 76.2% of aerial duels won per 90.

And the 24-year-old is also slightly better defensively speaking, having clocked up an impressive average of 3.54 interceptions and 5.78 clearances, which outdoes the new Madrid man's average of 1.37 interceptions and 2.95 clearances per 90.

Whilst £21k-per-week Torunarigha has played the majority of his football at loan side Genk in a back-three, the aforementioned defensive stats do evidence his ability to operate in a back-two partnership - which would of course be expected of the German under the guidance of David Moyes.

In many ways, being a tall, technically capable but physically gifted specimen reminiscent of a defender from yesteryear, he is a Moyes signing, and the value for money on offer throughout this deal paints that notion in an even brighter light.

The signing also suggests an increased desire to keep possession with the implementation of a naturally left-footed centre-back.

West Ham managed an average of just 47.7% but with this signing may look to establish themselves on the ball and build patiently from the back in what could well be a tactical reshuffle for a number of teams in the Premier League this season.

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