West Ham United are reportedly eyeing a transfer swoop for Queens Park Rangers’ Irish left-back Ryan Manning.
According to Football Insider, the Hammers are interested in securing the defender’s services amongst a host of other Premier League clubs.
Alongside the Irons, both Norwich City and Watford are supposedly keen on making a move for Manning.
Earlier in the season, there was also interest in the player from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton and Newcastle United; however, their interest has ‘cooled’.
As stated by Football Insider, due to the left-back being out of contract next summer, he will be available to purchase for less than the £5m the R’s initially wanted in January.
The 24-year-old full-back currently has a market value of £2.16m according to Transfermarkt.
TIF Thoughts…
This season, the left-back has been in solid form for Mark Warburton’s side in the Championship and appears as though he would be a good purchase.
The left-back has been QPR’s second-best performer in the league this season with an impressive 7.05/10 average rating over 39 appearances, as well as producing seven assists (per WhoScored)
Had Manning earned the same average rating for West Ham in the league this season, then he would have been their joint-fourth-best performer (per WhoScored).
Would you be happy if West Ham signed Ryan Manning from QPR?
No, he's not good enough
Yes, he looks like a talent
While the QPR defender has been playing in the league below the Irons, he has scored better than Aaron Cresswell in key defensive statistics this season.
The Irishman has made 2.0 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per league match, whereas Cresswell has made 1.4 tackles and 1.1 interceptions.
So, if Manning can transition between the Championship and the Premier League well, he certainly appears to be worth a punt for less than £5m.