French club Marseille look set to save West Ham from two disastrous transfers by moving to sign alleged David Moyes targets.
Despite signing Thilo Kehrer last week, West Ham have been linked with moves to sign another centre-back.
Journalist Alex Crook and the likes of The Athletic have claimed that West Ham are very keen on signing Manchester United outcast Eric Bailly.
The Hammers have also been linked with transfer listed Serie A defender Francesco Acerbi who has fallen out with his manager and fans at Lazio (Football Italia).
The 34-year-old Italian centre back handed in a transfer request at the start of the summer after an incredibly difficult year in the Italian capital.
Both rumoured moves met with widespread disapproval among West Ham fans who felt they smacked of desperation.
But Marseille look set to save West Ham from two disastrous transfers by moving to sign alleged the Moyes targets.
According to RMC Sport, Marseille have reached a full agreement over a €10m (£8.5m) loan-to-buy deal for Manchester United centre-back Bailly, who is set for a medical at the Ligue 1 club today.
Injury-prone Bailly, 28, has made just 70 appearances for the Red Devils in six years.
And West Ham could be saved from another unpopular move as Marseille are also being linked with Acerbi.
L’Équipe reports that Acerbi could link up with former West Ham star Dimitri Payet as Marseille have approached the Italian too.
Bailly and Acerbi would have been seriously questionable signings for West Ham.
Moyes has made it clear he wants to build his side around young, hungry talent. So cheap moves for two ageing defenders who have seen better days did not add up.
West Ham splashed out £30m to sign defender Nayef Aguerd from Rennes earlier this summer.
But the Moroccan injured his ankle in a pre-season friendly with Rangers and required surgery which has ruled him out until October.
Angelo Ogbonna is making his way back to fitness following his ACL surgery last November while Craig Dawson is also recovering from a quad injury.
There are concerns over Kurt Zouma’s fitness and form too.
One thing is for certain West Ham’s defending must improve. Moyes’ side are far too easy to score against and they won’t have their first choice defensive unit – which will include Emerson from today – just before or after the World Cup.
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