Turkish media outlet Takvim claimed yesterday that West Ham are weighing up an £8.5 million bid for Besiktas centre-back Domagoj Vida in January.
The 30-year-old has been a solid performer throughout his nine-year career. He has played in a World Cup final, and he is an absolute warrior.
Vida has also won three league titles throughout his career.
But there is a catch.
The 79-capped Croatian international is totally unproven in the Premier League. He has no pace whatsoever, and the English game would be a huge step up from the pedestrian paced Turkish Super Lig.
Signing Vida for £8.5 million would be decent value, but it would also be a cheap, quick fix.
The 30-year-old probably has just two or three years left playing at the highest level.
West Ham have real issues in central defence, and they need to address that by bringing in young, talented defenders with high ceilings.
The Hammers’ board need to stop messing around with journeymen has-beens, and start spending some real cash.
How about Nathan Ake from Bournemouth? Or Alessandra Bastoni from Inter Milan? Zinho Vanheusden from Standard Liege?
There are plenty of options out there for West Ham. They just need to cast the net a little farther out and show some imagination.
Vida is not the man to help take the Hammers forward. He is a decent defender, but West Ham should be aiming higher.
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