David Moyes has made a surprise claim about West Ham outcast Thilo Kehrer after recent links to Aston Villa.
West Ham and Aston Villa are both gearing up for European matches this week.
And both the Hammers and Villans will be looking to make improvements to their teams in the January transfer window.
West Ham take on Freiburg in the Europa League on Thursday night. The big clash against the Germans will decide who finishes top of Group A.
And it will be a big occasion for West Ham’s German star Thilo Kehrer too.
At least it would be if he was featuring for the Hammers much this season.
The 27-year-old defender has played just 18 minutes of Premier League football for West Ham under David Moyes this season.
Utility man frozen out
That’s despite establishing himself as an important utility player for West Ham on their way to Europa Conference League glory last season.
This term, though, Kehrer has been completely marginalised by Moyes, making just four starts in all competitions.
So it was no real surprise when reports emerged linking him with a move away in the January transfer window.
The likes of Eintracht Frankfurt have been linked with a bid to bring Kehrer back to his homeland.
West Ham’s Prem rivals Aston Villa have also been linked with a January bid.
Moyes makes surprise claim about Kehrer after Villa links
But now the manager has thrown something of a curveball.
Because Moyes has made a surprise claim about West Ham outcast Kehrer after Aston Villa links.
Given West Ham are playing German opposition, the Scot was inevitably questioned about Kehrer’s lack of involvement this season amid speculation over his future.
His response was interesting to say the least as he described Kehrer as ‘hugely important’ to West Ham.
‘We know what he can do’
“Thilo is a brilliant boy who works really hard in training,” Moyes admitted – as reported on the club’s official site.
“He brings flexibility and he’s hugely important for us with his versatility.
“It’s been tough for him because we have some players who have been performing brilliantly defensively, but we know what he can do.”
It could be that Moyes is playing to the transfer market crowd to try and drive up Kehrer’s price.
But his lack of game time speaks volumes and it would be no surprise to see Kehrer sold next month.
Especially as West Ham have to sell to buy.
Those Kehrer Villa links
Kehrer’s links to Aston Villa emerged from Sky Sports Austria recently.
Though at times inconsistent in his debut season – along with most of his teammates it must be said – Kehrer became a huge fan favourite for helping see out the European trophy win.
And for leading the celebrations on the parade through east London afterwards.
Kehrer is behind Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Angelo Ogbonna in the centre-back pecking order at West Ham. And he has barely been used as back-up full-back like he was last term.
But working under Unai Emery may well appeal to the Hammers star, who can play at centre-back and full-back as well as defensive midfield.
There is also the prospect of potential Champions League football too.
The Hammers paid £10.5m for Kehrer from PSG in the summer of 2022. And as far as West Ham fans are concerned the part he played in the European success means he’s been worth every penny.
If West Ham can recoup most of that outlay from Aston Villa it could be a deal to suit all parties.
But Kehrer would face an equally tough task to get into the Villa starting XI with the likes of Diego Carlos, Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa blocking the path.
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