West Ham United need a new centre-back this summer but look set to miss out on a David Moyes target.
David Moyes predicts squad meltdowns and in-fighting
Following the departure of Fabian Balbuena West Ham are looking to sign a new defender.
Hammers rock Angelo Ogbonna turns 34 next season and Moyes only has Craig Dawson and Issa Diop as senior centre halves.
David Moyes wanted Japan star Takehiro Tomiyasu at West Ham
West Ham were heavily linked with a move for Bologna’s Japan star Takehiro Tomiyasu in the summer window last year.
Tomiyasu fits Moyes’s recruitment philosophy perfectly.
He is young, athletic, robust – rarely missing a game – energetic and hungry. The 27-capped Japan star is also extremely versatile.
Tomiyasu is renowned for his brilliant range of passing and the fact he can play as a centre back, full back and defensive midfielder.
But now it seems West Ham could miss out the 6ft 2in 22-year-old.
That’s after reports emerged claiming Tomiyasu is set for a move to Atalanta.
Atalanta have ace card over West Ham as Bologna struggle to fund obligation to buy deal
According to Football Italia, Bologna and Atalanta are on good terms having done several deals together, most notably Musa Barrow making the move to the Stadio Dall’Ara.
And it is that deal which could see Atalanta pull the ace card on West Ham.
That’s because the forward arrived on loan with an obligation to buy for around £12m this summer and that bill is now due.
The clubs are discussing how to lower the financial outlay in the deal and according to Football Italia and Tuttomercatoweb, that will include sending Tomiyasu to Atalanta in exchange.
Report claimed Sullivan has ordered agents to sign a top level defender for Moyes but Tomiyasu bites the dust
Various reports have claimed the West Ham defensive target will be signed on a five-year deal.
And while West Ham might have Europa League football to offer players next season, Atalanta have qualified for the Champions League again.
Football Insider claimed recently that West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has ordered agents to work on signing a ‘top level defender’ for Moyes this summer.
And Football Insider also claimed at the weekend that West Ham’s manager is making progress on a number of potential new signings.