West Ham could sell a fan favourite to high-flying Aston Villa to make space for signings in the January transfer window.
It’s fair to say those of a claret and blue persuasion are on cloud nine right now with Aston Villa and West Ham going great guns.
Having lifted a first major trophy in 43 years, West Ham have made their best start to a Premier League season after 15 games, are through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup and have secured knockout European football for a third consecutive season.
Aston Villa meanwhile just two points off the top of the table after back-to-back wins over Man City and Arsenal.
And Villa are enjoying their own return to European football too, looking to follow in West Ham’s footsteps by winning the Europa Conference League.
West Ham could sell fan favourite to high-flying Villa
Stand still in the Premier League, though, and you quickly get left behind.
So both the Hammers and Villans will be looking to make improvements to their teams in the January transfer window.
David Moyes stated this week he wants to sign a striker and that he is keen to “add to what he is building” with his new-look West Ham side.
The top source inside the club exclusively told Hammers News recently that West Ham do intend to be active next month.
But they must move some players on to “free up slots in the squad” and also partially to satisfy FFP rules.
Now West Ham could sell a fan favourite to high-flying Aston Villa to make space for signings.
Report from Austria makes claim
Because according to Sky Sports Austria Villa want defender versatile Germany defender Thilo Kehrer as he continues to be frozen out at West Ham.
Though at times inconsistent in his debut season – along with most of his teammates it must be said – Kehrer became a huge fan favourite for helping see out the European trophy win.
And for leading the celebrations on the parade through east London afterwards.
Kehrer is behind Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Angelo Ogbonna in the centre-back pecking order at West Ham. And he has barely been used as back-up full-back like he was last term.
Hammers need to make space for signings
Some West Ham fans feel Kehrer has been somewhat hard done by this season, not even getting much game time when Moyes makes sweeping changes for cup and European games.
The report claims Villa face competition from Eintracht Frankfurt.
But working under Unai Emery may well appeal to the Hammers star, who can play at centre-back and full-back as well as defensive midfield.
There is also the prospect of potential Champions League football too.
The Hammers paid £10.5m for Kehrer from PSG in the summer of 2022. And as far as West Ham fans are concerned the part he played in the European success means he’s been worth every penny.
If West Ham can recoup most of that outlay from Aston Villa it could be a deal to suit all parties.
But Kehrer would face an equally tough task to get into the Villa starting XI with the likes of Diego Carlos, Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa blocking the path.
READ MORE
Top 6 door left wide open for West Ham after major double boost.
Astonishing Antonio revelation will shock West Ham fans.
Man United are trying to hijack West Ham transfer but beware Steidten.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
