West Ham Could Sign Joelinton 2.0 In £40m Sensation

West Ham United are in the race for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher as the club prepares for the departure of Declan Rice.

What’s the latest on Conor Gallagher to West Ham?

According to talkSPORT, the Irons, alongside Newcastle and Crystal Palace have been alerted to the possibility of signing the £40m-rated Englishman.

The report details that the 23-year-old’s sale may be sanctioned as the 2021 Champions League winners attempt to raise funds to cut the size of the squad and finance Mauricio Pochettino’s summer rebuild.

The outlet also revealed that the west London recruitment team believes that British players will generate the most revenue and Gallagher hasn’t justified his inclusion for next season due to his inconsistency.

What would Conor Gallagher bring to West Ham?

The £50k-per-week man’s season at Chelsea had drawn a mixed reaction from the fan base.

On one hand, the engine has made the second most appearances (45) in all competitions for the club this season, showing he is a trustworthy and popular asset.

Conversely, he has also been accused of not being up to standard, with Darren Bent describing the player as looking like a "fish out of water" at Stamford Bridge.

conor-gallagher-chelsea-premier-league-newcastle-transfers

However, although he has endured a tricky campaign, he has still shown he has top-flight pedigree outside of Chelsea.

For the 2021/22 season, the Epsom-born talent was loaned to Palace and tremendously excelled at Selhurst Park.

In 34 Premier League appearances, the six-cap international recorded 11 goal contributions and the highest average rating (7.09) in the squad, as per WhoScored.

This notified his parent club of his quality and the former Swansea man has been regularly picked by Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Frank Lampard since.

In a more settled and less-pressurised environment, Gallagher can perform and a move to the London Stadium could reignite his career.

This signing would mean that David Moyes could unearth his own Joelinton – an aggressive, relentless, and energetic box-to-box midfielder.

Indeed, as per FBref, the two are the most alike when it comes to every player across Europe's top five leagues.

That is showcased by the fact that both the aforementioned men rank within the top 9% in Europe’s top five leagues among their positional peers for blocks per 90, the highest 3% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, and the best 19% for progressive carries per 90.

This range of attributes displays both their defensive and offensive capabilities, and Gallagher could be an integral cog of the West Ham side across the pitch.

Described as “fantastic” by Potter, his commitment, work rate and willingness to run cannot be questioned, and in a similar setting to what he experienced in south London, he could be set to thrive again.

"Weak" £150k-p/w Chelsea Dud Cost Lampard Again

Chelsea's woeful season finally came to an end on Sunday afternoon, with the Blues finishing in 12th place after a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.

The game was Frank Lampard's last as interim manager, with the Chelsea legend managing just one win in his time at the club, with Mauricio Pochettino hoping to enjoy a far better spell when takes over in the summer.

What happened in Chelsea vs Newcastle?

Lampard opted to start youngsters Lewis Hall and Noni Madueke for his final game, with Newcastle also making changes for what was essentially a dead rubber game at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues found themselves in a familiar position in the first half when Anthony Gordon was left with the freedom of the penalty box to slot past Kepa Arrizabalaga from Matt Targett's cross.

However, Lampard's side would haul themselves level when Enzo Fernandez's quick free-kick found Raheem Sterling in a dangerous position, and his shot was turned into his own goal by Kieran Trippier.

Although both sides had chances in the second half, with the visitors hitting the crossbar late on, it would finish 1-1, with the Stamford Bridge faithful once again going home dissatisfied.

There were a number of underwhelming performances once again from Chelsea's starters, although it was arguably the much-maligned Kai Havertz who disappointed the most.

How did Havertz play against Newcastle?

As per Sofascore, the Germany international would earn a 6.7/10 rating for his performance, with only Conor Gallagher (6.4) rated lower of the Chelsea players to start the game.

Hauled off just before the hour mark, the 23-year-old mustered just 24 touches of the ball, which was fewer than Kepa, who managed 38.

Chelsea managerFrankLampard

During his time on the pitch, the former Bayer Leverkusen man would contribute no shots and no dribbles, which is hardly what you would expect from the starting striker, but this is what Chelsea fans have become accustomed to with Havertz over the years, with an average of just two shots and 0.5 dribbles per game in the top flight this season.

Previously dubbed as "so weak" by talkSPORT pundit Dean Ashton, the £150k-per-week frontman has done little to suggest that he can be relied upon as the main man in Chelsea's side, as he managed just seven goals in the top flight again this season, with a striker surely on Todd Boehly's shortlist.

Following another anonymous display, Havertz may well be questioning whether he lasts the summer transfer window, with sales surely on the cards if Boehly wants to make new signings, especially with the arrival of Christopher Nkunku.

Newcastle Could Sign Rice 2.0 In £35m Machine

Newcastle United are considering a swoop for Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips, with the Tyneside club looking to bolster the ranks after qualifying for the Champions League.

What's the latest on Kalvin Phillips to Newcastle?

According to the Telegraph, Toon technical director Dan Ashworth is pursuing a move for the England international but has been left frustrated by the player's desire to stay at the Etihad Stadium and fight for his place next season.

Recently touted at £35m, the 27-year-old has only started for Pep Guardiola's outfit four times across all competitions this term after completing a £45m transfer from Leeds United last summer.

Despite the midfielder's public desire to remain in Manchester, the Magpies' offer of a starring role could be too enticing to resist as the transfer window takes centre-stage, especially if Guardiola is unable to provide Phillips with assurances over the number of minutes he will be provided next year.

Should Newcastle sign Kalvin Phillips?

Despite flattering to deceive with the Premier League champions – though his impact at the club was hampered by detrimental early injury issues that sidelined him for much of the first phase of the season – Phillips is a proven midfield titan on top-flight soil.

Instrumental for Leeds in reclaiming a spot among England's elite and starring during a resounding 20/21 term where the entertaining Whites clinched ninth place – just three points away from European qualification – the £160k-per-week ace cemented himself as one of the most robust midfielders in the division.

Indeed, across those two campaigns, Phillips completed 82% and 84.5% of his passes, 2.6 and 2.7 tackles per game and 1.2 and 0.5 key passes per outing, as per WhoScored.

Kalvin-Phillips-and-Pep-Guardiola

Former teammate Barry Douglas said, "as a defensive midfielder with an array of passing skills, Kalvin Phillips is probably the best I’ve played with", while former Whites boss Neil Redfearn remarked, "Bielsa has made Kalvin an expert deep-lying midfielder but he could do both roles.”

With Magpies boss Eddie Howe seeking to bolster his midfield this summer, Phillips could be a shrewd alternative to touted West Ham United star Declan Rice, with the £100m-valued man attracting attention from a plethora of top European outfits, including Newcastle, ahead of the forthcoming transfer window.

Rice has been lauded as an "absolute monster" by ESPN UK editor David Cartlidge and ranks among the top 20% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes, the top 15% for progressive carries, the top 5% for interceptions and the top 17% for clearances per 90, as per FBref.

Phillips is capable of replicating such metrics, evidenced in the Premier League with Leeds, notably ranking in the top 8% of midfielders in the division throughout 2021/22 for tackles and interceptions combined.

Provided license to cement a prominent role at St. James' Park, he might just harness the full might of his skill set.

Arsenal Could Sign £140k p/w Superstar On Free Transfer

Arsenal bringing in Ilkay Gundogan this summer on a free transfer from Manchester City would be an 'exciting' deal for the club, according to journalist Paul Brown.

What's the latest transfer news involving Ilkay Gundogan?

According to The Guardian, Arsenal are said to be 'pursuing a move' for Manchester City captain Gundogan, whose £140k-a-week contract at the Etihad Stadium is set to run out this summer.

The 32-year-old has worked with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta in the past and it is believed that he could be tempted by the possibility of linking up with the Spaniard again heading into 2023/24.

90min report that Barcelona are also keen on the Germany international and he may be open to the fresh challenge and opportunity to live in Spain with his family.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola hasn't given up hope of keeping Gundogan and gave an update on his future in the aftermath of the Citizens' 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final last weekend where the player bagged a brace, as per BBC Sport, stating: "He knows what I think. (Football director) Txiki (Begiristain) is working on it (a new contract). Hopefully he can be successful."

Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic has agreed personal terms with Manchester City ahead of a potential move to the club, which may signal that the Sky Blues are looking to replace Gundogan in the off-season, as per talkSPORT.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Brown thinks Arsenal would be pulling off a coup if they were able to attract Gundogan to north London this summer.

Brown told FFC: "It may, from City's point of view, not depend on them getting Kovacic if he's allowed to leave. It really depends on where Gundogan sees his future, but I think it'd be quite an exciting one if Arsenal could pull that off."

What have Ilkay Gundogan's stats been like this season?

Gundogan has been in fine form for Manchester City this campaign as they close in on what would be a historic treble comprising the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League if they can defeat Inter Milan on Saturday in Istanbul.

In 2022/23, the 32-year-old has made 50 appearances in all competitions for his current employers, registering 11 goals and seven assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Manchester City'sIlkayGundogan

Leading by example, WhoScored shows that Gundogan maintained a pass success rate of 88.2% in the Premier League this term, demonstrating his constant reliability in the engine room for Manchester City.

As per FBRef, Gundogan has also completed 124 shot-creating actions this campaign, contributing heavily to attacking phases of play for his side.

Arsenal will look to build from a position of strength looking ahead to 2023/24 and Gundogan would be a world-class addition to boost Arteta's midfield options.

Newcastle Would Blunder Big Time By Signing £25m "Lightweight"

Newcastle United have been reported to hold an interest in Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson, but the USMNT international has endured a torrid time in the Premier League this year.

That's following an exclusive from Football League World, who claim that Magpies technical director Dan Ashworth has his eye on Aaronson and his international and Leeds teammate Tyler Adams this summer after the Whites were relegated from the top-flight after three seasons.

The 22-year-old only signed last summer for around £25m and started brightly, but as Leeds' campaign deteriorated so did Aaronson's, and he might be searching for new pastures as the outfit look to recuperate some of the sum paid to RB Salzburg.

Newcastle are in the market for new firepower in the central department after qualifying for the Champions League with a top-four finish, but the main question on supporters' lips would be whether signing the ace would be the most auspicious move to make…

Should Newcastle sign Brendan Aaronson?

Aaronson still has four years left at Elland Road after penning a five-year deal upon signing for the club, but there is every possibility that he will be shipped on as Leeds look to rebuild ahead of mounting a bid for promotion straight back to the top flight.

And while he is clearly a talented playmaker, given Newcastle's newfound stature and breakthrough to European competition, it is unlikely that Howe would be inclined to make the move with the squad's midfield already so robust and reliable.

The 29-cap ace only scored once across the entirety of the 22/23 Premier League season, assisting a further three goals, and was even branded a "lightweight" by pundit Jon Newsome for his anonymous, almost lackadaisical presence on the pitch.

As per Sofascore, the £45k-per-week American recorded a, candidly, woeful average league rating of 6.51, and while he completed 79% of his passes and averaged 1.3 key passes per game, his flimsiness was on full show as he won only 40% of his contested duels and succeeded with 41% of his attempted dribbles.

amari-miller-brenden-aaronson-leeds-united-opinion-championship

And given that Magpies outcast Ryan Fraser statistically completed a better season, recording an average rating of 6.71 after playing just eight times all year, it hardly seems to be the most propitious option for the Toon to delve down.

Especially considering the likes of James Maddison and Dominik Szoboszlai have peppered the rumour mill with reports of United's heated interest in their services.

Fraser, while embodying the etymology of the word peripheral under Howe's wing at St. James's Park, won 59% of his duels in the Premier League and at least held his own, something that Aaronson – who reportedly has a relegation clause worth in the region of £25m – has, as illustrated by the aforementioned metrics, failed to do.

Such talents would undoubtedly come at greater cost, but Newcastle have established the foundation for a future laden in success and must now make the right moves to ensure that the good fortunes this year do not falter with the turning of the page, and Aaronson, talented as he may be, is surely not the answer at such a crucial stage in this burgeoning outfit's development as a European superpower.

Villa Could Land "Extremely Interesting" Talent This Summer

Aston Villa have formed quite the link with Villarreal this summer, with a host of Unai Emery’s former talents reportedly wanted at Villa Park, including latest target Alex Baena.

With Monchi onboard, the West Midlands club are reportedly looking to add a Spanish essence to the Premier League, with one of La Liga’s exciting young talents in Baena on Emery's shortlist.

The 21-year-old is linked with a reunion with Emery, with Spanish publication AS claiming both Villa and Barcelona hold interest in the midfielder – as relayed by Sport Witness.

The newspaper states that the Spaniard is valued by his club at €50m (£43m), with a release clause that exceeds €60m (£51m) which was put in place when he signed a new deal with the Yellow Submarine in January.

Regardless of the actual buying price, the range of the two sums listed in the report would break Villa’s record transfer fee, showing how much the club rate the youngster.

What could Alex Baena offer Aston Villa?

Rising up the ranks at Villarreal, Baena was integrated into the first team by Emery before the manager departed for the West Midlands last season.

Since his introduction to the La Liga side, the 21-year-old has not looked back, scoring six goals and registering two assists in 35 league appearances.

Hailed as being an “extremely interesting” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the midfielder has excelled this term, which has subsequently linked him with a move to the Premier League.

The versatile technician can be deployed all across the attacking line behind a striker, featuring on both flanks as well as in central attacking midfield – which has seen him compared to some of the best in the position on the continent.

As per FBref, based on his statistics over the past year, the Roquetas de Mar-born gem is most likened to Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, who was voted the north Londoner's Player of the Season this past campaign.

Emery could land himself his answer to the Norwegian sensation this summer in a player that could be perfect as the Spaniard aims to take Villa to further heights next term.

martin-odegaard-arsenal

Lauded as “spectacular” by members of the media, the 24-year-old was one of the Premier League’s best performers this season, registering 22 goals and assists in 37 appearances – scoring 15 and assisting seven from central midfield.

While Baena’s numbers in front of goal aren’t quite as comparable to the former Real Madrid starlet just yet, the Spaniard possesses a wave of attributes mirrored to those in the Arsenal captain’s locker.

As per FBref, the 21-year-old excelled in terms of progressive play, averaging 2.31 progressive carries per 90 with a number comparable to Odegaard, who averaged 2.46 per 90 over the past year.

A similar pattern is identifiable in terms of their creative play, with the Villarreal academy graduate averaging 0.24 xAG (expected assisted goals) to the Norwegian’s 0.26 xAG, as well as creating 12 big chances to the Gunners star’s 14.

Taking into consideration Odegaard’s period in the spotlight spanning over eight years after signing for Real Madrid as a youngster, Baena’s progression is something to monitor, with his statistics suggesting a capability to operate at a similar level to the Premier League star in the years to come.

Burnley: Kompany Eyeing 6ft3 Titan As Harwood-Bellis Replacement At Turf Moor

Burnley are interested in the services of promising centre-half Soumaila Coulibaly, per reports.

Burenly transfer news – Soumaila Coulibaly

According to Football Insider, the Clarets have submitted a loan offer for Borussia Dortmund's exciting central defensive prospect Soumaila Coulibaly as a potential replacement for the departing Taylor Harwood-Bellis at Turf Moor.

The publication reports that Burnley boss Vincent Kompany is a 'big admirer' of the 19-year-old, and the Lancashire club are 'in talks' with BVB over what would be best for the youngster's development.

The former Paris Saint-Germain gem is held in high regard at the Westfalenstadion following a successful spell with the club's reserve team.

However, a disastrous debut for the senior side in the Bundesliga has hurt his image somewhat, and so with three years left on his deal with the famous Black and Yellow, a loan could be a great option for all sides.

Would Soumaila Coulibaly be a good replacement for Taylor Harwood-Bellis?

The departure of Harwood-Bellis back to his parent club Manchester City is a real problem for Kompany's team.

He made 32 appearances in the Championship last season and, according to WhoScored, averaged an impressive rating of 7.07.

The Belgian is clearly one of his biggest fans, telling Lancashire Live:

"He really has an outstanding attitude, and he's got good habits of high-level professionals. His level is for everyone to see. I had him when he was at Anderlecht, and he's a better player now.

"The player he is now today, give him another year or two, he's going to be a much-improved player again because he has the right attitude. We're excited to be a part of his development."

That said, Coulibaly looks to have the attributes required to replace the returning City loanee well.

For a start, both players share a physical profile, with the Englishman coming in at 6 foot 2 and his potential replacement at 6 foot 3; their weights are also only 1kg apart at 82kg and 81kg, respectively, per Eurosport.

It's this 'imposing' build that has led to comparisons with the immensely talented Dayot Upamecano, and if that is the calibre of player he is already being likened to at just 19 years old, he could have a massive future ahead of him.

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany.

It's not just his physique that has led to that comparison however, he has also shown himself to be a good ball-playing centre-half, despite his limited minutes.

According to FBref, the Dortmund man produced 12.9 progressive passes per 90 last year, more than any Burnley player in the Championship.

The Championship winners also look to have already secured the perfect partner for Coulibaly with the permanent signing of Jordan Beyer, another promising youngster from the German topflight who spent the season on loan with the club last year.

With Beyer favouring his right foot and Coulibaly favouring his left, the club could have an incredibly balanced and exciting defence going into their Premier League campaign.

The only problem could come from the German runners-up not wanting to let him go on a permanent should he have a good season, as they described him as 'one of the most promising players.'

His manager at the Signal Iduna Park, Edin Terzic, also looks to be a fan, claiming: "He's been getting better and better and finding consistency."

There is a small element of risk in bringing in Coulibaly as a replacement for the consistent Harwood-Bellis, but based on what people have said about the player and his profile, there seems to be so much more upside to this deal.

Man City Can Forget Gundogan By Signing £135k-p/w Dynamo

Manchester City confirmed on Monday that central midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is set to depart the club on a free transfer at the end of the month to join Barcelona.

The 32-year-old dynamo is poised to end his seven-year spell at The Etihad after 304 competitive appearances and 14 trophies won, with three of those coming in the season just gone.

Who could replace Ilkay Gundogan at Man City?

TEAMtalk revealed earlier this month that the Citizens are one of three Premier League teams to have shown an interest in signing Real Madrid central midfielder Federico Valverde.

Liverpool and Chelsea are also said to be in the mix for his signature. However, it is claimed that the player, who is valued at €65.9m (£57m) by Football Transfers, is not currently keen on a move and the Spanish giants are in no rush to cash in on him.

Pep Guardiola must now attempt to convince the Uruguay international to ditch Los Blancos as the Spanish head coach could forget about Gundogan by securing the Real ace's services this summer.

Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City.

Valverde, who was once hailed as "untouchable" by boss Carlo Ancelotti, averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.25 across 34 LaLiga outings, which would place him seventh in the City squad – ahead of the likes of Gundogan, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, and John Stones.

He also contributed with seven goals and four assists from the middle of the park, whilst he also created eight 'big chances' for his teammates.

Gundogan, meanwhile, averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.08 across 31 Premier League matches and chipped in with eight goals and four assists to go along with six 'big chances' created.

Ilkay Gundogan's Manchester City stats.

As you can see in the graphic above, as provided by Opta, the pair have a similarity score of 80.7%. Indeed, they are both excellent contributors in possession but are not particularly active in the defensive side of the game.

Both players rank in the top 8% of midfielders in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for non-penalty expected goals and expected assiststed goals combined per 90 over the last 365 days, which essentially means they are adept at getting into excellent scoring positions and are capable of providing their fellow attackers with high-quality chances to score from.

This is backed up by their aforementioned statistics in their respective leagues as they are both capable of being difference-makers in the final third by bursting from midfield to win games with goals and assists.

Valverde, whose number one player comparison on FBref is Gundogan, would be an exceptional replacement for the Barcelona-bound general as the £135k-per-week ace is a midfielder who has proven himself to be capable of making a huge impact at the top end of the pitch.

At the age of 24, the Real Madrid star would also arrive at Manchester City with plenty of time to improve and develop and would, therefore, be a long-term signing to take Gundogan's place. That would no doubt be perfect for Guardiola as it would give him time to work with the midfielder in order to implement his ideas.

Rangers Can Find Colak’s Heir In £5.2m Transfer Swoop

Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale was dealt a blow at the end of last season as centre-forward Alfredo Morelos left the club upon the expiry of his contract at Ibrox.

The Colombian was a prolific scorer for the side over the years and enjoyed an incredible spell in Scotland as he plundered 124 goals in 269 appearances in all competitions.

His exit left the Light Blues with a hole to fill at the top end of the pitch and they have done exactly that by signing Sam Lammers on a permanent deal from Atalanta, while 28-year-old striker Cyriel Dessers is on the verge of joining from Cremonese for £4.5m.

However, the Nigerian's pending arrival would mean that Beale would have five senior number nine options who are all aged between 26 and 30.

This suggests that the Gers could benefit from signing a younger striker with the potential to develop over time.

They could sign a forward in his early 20s in the hope that he is able to learn from the likes of Dessers and Lammers before working his way into becoming a first-team regular further down the line.

HNK Rijeka starlet Matija Frigan, who is valued at £5.2m, fits that particular bill having been linked with a move to the Scottish giants this summer and he could come in as the dream heir to Antonio Colak.

How did Matija Frigan perform last season?

The 20-year-old marksman made his senior breakthrough with Rijeka and caught the eye with his impressive performances through the middle of the pitch.

During the 2022/23 campaign, the Croatia U21 international plundered 15 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions for his club, including 14 in 27 league outings. This means that he averaged a goal more than once every two matches in the SuperSport HNL, while maintaining an average of a strike just over once every two games in total.

To put those numbers into context, his compatriot in Colak found the back of the net 18 times in 38 clashes for Rangers after his move from Greek giants PAOK last summer, with 13 of those coming in 24 Scottish Premiership matches.

The Croatian international scored once every 2.1 outings for the Light Blues as he proved himself to be a reliable scorer during his debut campaign in the country.

Rangers striker Antonio Colak.

These statistics suggest that the 20-year-old target has the goalscoring instincts and consistency to replicate Colak's success in front of goal.

The former Malmo finisher turns 30 in September and Beale could bring Frigan to Ibrox with the intention of replacing him either this summer or in the years to come.

The Rijeka star does not turn 21 until next year and would arrive as a player with potential, rather than an experience option who would be expected to hit the ground running. Although, his goalscoring record last season indicates that the quality is there for him to be a good option for the manager in the short-term as well.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig previously hailed the striker as "complete" while he also rated his potential at 8/10, suggesting that the exciting youngster has shown enough in his home country to be a highly-rated young talent.

Frigan could, therefore, be an excellent long-term signing for Rangers and one that would provide Beale with a dream heir to Colak.

West Ham Plot Move For “Robust” £15m "Battleship"

A third consecutive season of European football beckons for West Ham United, who must begin shaping their squad for yet another gruelling campaign.

Last summer, the Irons splashed a whopping £179m, and they are likely to replicate a similar level of spending this summer as they're set to land a monstrous £105m from Arsenal for Declan Rice.

Jonathan Tah is a player constantly linked with West Ham and could make the switch from Germany during this transfer window.

What’s the latest Jonathan Tah to West Ham?

According to the Rheinische Post (via Sport Witness), Tah’s desire to play in the Premier League has 'long been documented' and West Ham are keenly tracking his services.

This outlet also revealed that the 27-year-old has a €18m (£15m) release clause valid until 10 July and the Hammers are described as a 'hot candidate' in the race for his signature.

It is understood that even if this isn’t triggered, it is still 'conceivable' for the German to change clubs before the window shuts, allowing David Moyes the opportunity to pounce.

Negotiations could be made easier as West Ham has recently appointed former Bayer Leverkusen sports coordinator Tim Steidten as their new technical director.

Is Jonathan Tah a good signing for West Ham?

Last season, the centre-back notched 47 appearances in all competitions and formed a magnificent defensive triumvirate with Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapie.

Standing at a colossal 6 foot 5, Tah is a pillar of calmness and composure. This is supported by his rank within the best 10% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for pass completion per 90.

Clearly highly competent with the ball at his feet, the £48k-per-week man is also extremely collected in defensive situations, having made no errors leading to a shot or a goal in the Bundesliga in the 2022/23 campaign from his 33 league outings, whilst also failing to concede a penalty.

Upon his arrival to Leverkusen, then-sporting director Rudi Voller described Tah as “quick, technically gifted but still robust.” Meanwhile, Christoph Kramer has labelled him as a “real battleship.”

If Tah can secure a move to the London Stadium he could form a solid defensive partnership with Nayef Aguerd, who when fit and available, has largely looked like a reliable asset, having been "playing well" in his short time at the club to date, according to teammate Kurt Zouma.

Nayef Aguerd West Ham

He was perhaps at his most impressive during Morocco’s history-making World Cup campaign, in which they became the first-ever African side to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

In the four games he featured in, the 6 foot 3 centre-back was part of two clean sheets, averaging three clearances, one interception and one tackle per game, whilst winning 69% of his total duels and not being dribbled past across the campaign.

From a wider perspective, Aguerd has also performed admirably for West Ham as he ranks within the best 25% for clearances and blocks per 90 across the last 365 days. After a season to acclimatise and adapt to English football, he looks ready for a campaign of consistent football if he can stay clear of injury.

Moreover, a partnership with Tah makes sense as Aguerd is left-footed whilst the Leverkusen star is right-footed. With Angelo Ogbonna no spring chicken at the age of 35 and with the worrying injury record of Zouma, there is a high chance there could be a new-look defence for Moyes next term.

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