West Ham United are days away from signing Ryan Fredericks from Fulham, according to Sky Sports.
The report reveals that a confirmation of the deal is not expected to happen on Friday for the right-back but it is imminent with the Hammers keen to get transfers over the line before the start of the World Cup.
Fredericks, 25, is out of contract at Craven Cottage at the end of this month which means he is available on a free transfer.
The right-back was an integral member of the promotion winning side’s journey into the Premier League.
Good move for West Ham?
You would have to say that at 25, he is certainly a better punt for seasons going forward than Pablo Zabaleta is at 33.
Having said that, the Argentinian full-back was one of Slaven Bilic’s best signings for the club and his consistency at the back was a highlight in an otherwise poor season.
With nine assists to his name in the Championship, Fredericks is a player who has an end product to his game and that is something that Hammers fans will be keen to see he replicates at the London Stadium.
So, yes, it is a good move, especially due to the fact that he arrives on a free.
This is Futbol verdict: 7/10
Likely to happen?
There will be few who can see any way that this move is not going to go through now.
Unless the Cottagers put forward an offer he is unable to turn down, Fredericks will become a West Ham player in the coming days and the Hammers will be hoping that there will be many to follow him through the doors in East London as the Manuel Pellegrini era goes into full swing.
This is Futbol verdict: 9/10