West Ham United could be set to finally sign defender Duje Caleta-Car in January thanks to Marseille’s disastrous return to the Champions League.
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Former West Ham star Dimitri Payet and co led Marseille back to Europe’s top table for the first time in seven seasons.
But just like the 2013/14 season it has been a disaster with L’OM set to crash out.
And that is good news for West Ham boss David Moyes according to insiders Claret & Hugh.
Marseille are rock bottom of Champions League group C after three defeats from three.
Marseille Champions League flop could clear path for West Ham to land Caleta-Car
They look likely to finish bottom so could crash out of European competition altogether with no Europa League safety net.
For West Ham it means a realistic chance of signing their Croatian defender Caleta-Car in the January window.
Caleta-Car recently admitted he turned down a really good offer to join West Ham last month, as quoted by RMC Sport.
The 24-year-old did not mention West Ham by name. But the fact L’Equipe reported the Hammers had made numerous bids for the Croatian international points to the east Londoners being the mystery Premier League club he is referring to.
The Sun also claimed that the Hammers made a £25 million offer for Caleta-Car two days before the transfer window closed.
The chief reason Caleta-Car stayed at Marseille was to experience Champions League football.
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“Yes, it’s true, I had an offer from a club in the Premier League,” Caleta-Car told RMC Sport.
“It was a really good offer for the club and for me. But I decided to stay to play Champions League [football] because it was the biggest dream in my life.
“When I was young, I had dreamt about it, so that was the first (main) reason.”
With Marseille flopping on the Champions League stage that dream has turned into something of a nightmare for Caleta-Car.
And West Ham will look to take advantage in January claim Claret & Hugh as Marseille are desperate for money.
“West Ham were negotiating with the Stellar Group – recognised as the world’s most powerful sports agency – in a bid to sign the Marseilles central defender last month,” C&H report.
Insiders claim Hammers could be back in for Croatian
“Headed by veteran representative and the player’s agent Jonathan Barnett, the Hammers hope to get the deal done ahead, or on deadline day, for a £25 million transfer fee…
“Marseille are keen to balance their books and the Hammers could revisit their interest Duje Caleta-Car with the French club likely to be out of the Champions League soon.”
Last month David Moyes admitted the club had failed with several moves for top quality defenders (whufc.com).
He signed Craig Dawson on loan as cover instead. But with Angelo Ogbonna turning 33 this season and Fabian Balbuena out of contract, West Ham are expected to renew their interest in some of those missed targets, Caleta-Car being one.
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