West Ham have been heavily linked with a move to sign German World Cup winner Mats Hummels on a free transfer.
Hammers News exclusively revealed West Ham had offered a contract to Mats Hummels at the start of August.
West Ham interest in Hummels has since been confirmed by a host of other sources and outlets, the latest being The Times yesterday.
As a free agent, the 35-year-old German has been biding his time over choosing his next club.
Julen Lopetegui has made it clear he wants the Hammers to have two senior players in every position.
But at present West Ham have three senior centre-backs.
Lopetegui suggested after the defeat to Man City that West Ham are now scouring the free agent market.
West Ham looking at free agents for 10th signing
Joel Matip, John Egan, Mario Hermoso and Hummels have all been linked as possible signings before the Premier League final squad deadline on September 14th.
Hermoso has joined Roma and speculation was rife Hummels would follow him there.
But top West Ham board source Sean Whetstone gave the Hammers fresh hope overnight.
Whetstone suggested Hummels could yet sign become the club’s 10th signing as a move to Roma had stalled.
Football data experts WhoScored backed West Ham’s move for Hummels last night, despite his age.
“The Hammers may yet dip into the free agent pool with Hummels a viable option for the east London side,” WhoScored state.
“The 35-year-old was imperious at the back for Dortmund last season, shining on their way to the Champions League final in particular. Indeed, the experienced defender ranked top for tackles (53), interceptions (25) and clearances (66) in Europe’s elite club competition as Dortmund came close to securing European glory, falling at the final hurdle to Champions League supremos Real Madrid.”
Now Fabrizio Romano says it’s ‘here we go soon’ after the West Ham insider’s Hummels claim.
Romano says ‘here we go soon’ after insider’s Hummels claim
“Matt Hummels move to Roma has stalled giving West Ham a chance to pounce,” Whetstone said on Tuesday evening.
“According to reports from Corriere dello Sport, Roma have offered Hummels a contract until the end of the season with an option to renew, which can be triggered automatically if he plays in over 50% of matches in 2024-25.
“They offered him £40,000 per week to sign for them but a deal has not progressed. Galatasaray have also shown an interest but Hummels is well known Tim Steidten and Niclas Fullkrug and they could use their personal relationships with him to encourage him to join the Hammers.”
Now Romano has delivered an emphatic update on the situation and says his trademark ‘here we go’ seal is not far away.
But it’s bad news for West Ham’s hopes.
Because according to Romano, Hummels is now set to join the Italian side after they made an improved offer.
“AS Roma have booked medical tests for Mats Hummels on Wednesday, travel also planned,” Romano said late last night.
“After improved proposal sent today, the club wants to complete the deal after medical tests. Here we go, expected soon.”
Full focus on Matip instead?
That could now see West Ham turn their focus to Matip, who left Liverpool this summer.
The Cameroon international is two years younger than Hummels. But he is on the way back from an ACL injury.
West Ham do have Edson Alvarez as a potential option to play as an emergency centre-back.
Much in the same way Chiekou Kouyate was used in central defence when the Hammers were desperate during his time at the club.
Alvarez has done that in Eredivisie for Ajax but the Premier League is a whole different ball game.
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