African star Formose Mendy has reportedly chosen West Ham and he’s exactly what David Moyes needs for two key areas.
Earlier this month Hammer News carried a report claiming West Ham had held ‘exploratory talks’ with a view to signing Senegal defender Mendy from Amiens as Craig Dawson’s potential replacement.
Since then West Ham have indeed sold Dawson to Wolves for £3.3m with the fan favourite bidding the Hammers an emotional farewell.
Mendy has won two caps for his country and is seen as the natural successor to Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Athletic claimed talks had taken place between West Ham and Ligue 2 Amiens.
“The 22-year-old centre-back is on the club’s radar and is considered an option that they may pursue,” The Athletic reported.
“It is understood exploratory conversations have taken place.
“Amiens are currently fifth in the French second division and Mendy is considered a key player in their bid to win promotion back to Ligue 1. Lens have already made an initial offer for Mendy believed to be in the region of £7million that has been rejected, with Amiens valuing him higher.”
West Ham’s problem when it came to 6ft 3in Mendy was reported interest from Premier League rivals such as Southampton and Ligue 1 Lens.
Reports earlier this week claimed West Ham want to sign a striker and a defender before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Well it seems there is some welcome good news for the Hammers on that front.
Because African star Mendy has reportedly chosen West Ham and he’s exactly what Moyes needs for two key areas.
According to Senegalese outlet Wiwsport West Ham have reached an agreement with Mendy’s entourage and the player himself wants to move to the London Stadium.
“In the sights of several clubs, Formose Mendy should finally join West Ham this winter…” Wiwsport reports.
“Indeed, according to our information, it is West Ham who has signed up to offer the Senegalese international defender and right-back.
“An agreement between the player’s entourage and the Hammers has already been reached. Mistrust all the same for West Ham: Southampton has not said its last word and is negotiating directly with Amiens. Nevertheless, Formose Mendy prefers to join the residents of the London Stadium.”
This is exactly the sort of signing West Ham should be making. Young, powerful, quick, at a good price and hopefully hungry to prove himself at the top level.
The best thing about the move, though, is the fact Mendy can play both centre back and right-back – two real problem positions for West Ham.
Vladimir Coufal and Ben Johnson simply have not been up to it for some time now while Moyes has issues in central defence with Dawson departing, the ageing Angelo Ogbonna likely in his last season, Thilo Kehrer error-prone and Kurt Zouma injury-prone.
Having Mendy, who can play both positions, could help turn West Ham’s season around if he can make the step up to the Premier League. He certainly has all the physical attributes to suggest he can.
You can check Mendy out in the obligatory YouTube video below.
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