According to La Provence journalist Fabrice Lamperti, Marseille will listen to any offers for alleged West Ham United target Duje Caleta-Car this month due to their financial problems.
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L’Equipe reported a few days before transfer deadline day in the summer that the Hammers had made numerous bids for the eight-capped Croatian international.
The Sun also claimed that West Ham made a £25 million offer for Caleta-Car two days before the transfer window closed.
The Hammers desperately needed to sign a centre-back in the summer.
After missing out on the 24-year-old Croatian, David Moyes brought Craig Dawson to the London Stadium on loan.
The 30-year-old has been an outstanding success.
In the long run, however, West Ham need to bring in a top class centre-back with youth on his side. Angelo Ogbonna will be 33 before the start of next season whilst Fabian Balbuena is fast approaching 30.
West Ham receive big Duje Caleta-Car boost
La Provence journalist Fabrice Lamperti told Tutto Napoli that the Hammers could go back in for the Croatian defender this month with Marseille in desperate need of funds to counteract the negative impact of the global health crisis.
Caleta-Car would be a superb addition for the Hammers. Well-renowned football analysis and scouting website IBWM recently described Caleta-Car as an ‘exceptional talent’. And if we can pick him up for a bargain fee, he could end up being a real coup.
In 19 appearances for Marseille this season, the 24-year-old has averaged 0.7 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 4.1 clearances. He has also won an average of 2.5 aerial battles per game (Who Scored).
Signing a new centre-back might not be a priority for David Moyes this month. Sometimes you’re presented with opportunities that are too good to turn down, however.
And the chance to bring Duje Caleta-Car to the London Stadium for a reasonable fee is exactly one of those moments.
It will obviously come down to how much Marseille are actually prepared to sell the Croatian for. Judging by their apparent desperation to raise funds, however, West Ham may well have a great chance of picking him up for a real bargain.
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