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West Ham United: Ex claims club in negotiations for two international defenders

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ExWHUemployee has revealed that West Ham United are in negotiations with two international-level left-backs who are also linked with various other clubs – but the Hammers want to get one ‘over the line’ soon.

David Moyes’ side are continuing their work to bolster their defensive options this summer after the signing of Nayef Aguerd from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes and are being linked to a number of players in the wing-back positions.

Insider Ex revealed on The West Ham Way Patreon page that the club are following a number of left-backs who are garnering interest from a lot of clubs around Europe to give competition to Aaron Cresswell.

He wrote: “The club are in negotiations with two international left-backs. Both I have linked with the club before, but both have a lot of interest elsewhere and we are trying to move ahead of them and get one of them over the line.

“Both are said to be good from set pieces so they are direct competition for Cresswell, who also offers that option. Both also offer the option of playing further forward. With this news, it looks like Masuaku and Longelo could both be on the move.”

There have been a number of left-backs linked with the Irons this summer, but two recently mentioned by Ex were Hoffenheim star David Raum and Frankfurt’s Filip Kostic.

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TIF Thoughts on Ex’s comments…

With West Ham since making some progress in their pursuit of Chelsea striker Armando Broja, this update from the weekend suggests there is plenty going on behind the scenes at the London Stadium.

Both Raum and Kostic were key men for their Bundesliga sides last season and both would certainly give Cresswell a run for his money as the starting left-back for the east London club next season.

Last term, Raum bagged three goals and 11 assists for Hoffenheim and ranked in the 99th percentile for assists and shot-creating actions, as well as in the 84th for touches in the attacking penalty area and the 86th for progressive passes received, compared to other full-backs in the top five European leagues.

Kostic impressed with his seven goals and 13 assists in the Bundesliga and Europa League while ranking in the 99th percentile for assists, shot-creating actions and total shots. He also ranked in the 98th percentile for progressive passes received and in the 95th for progressive carries (as per FBRef).

It is unknown at the time of writing how much either of these players could end up costing West Ham, but with the side’s ambitions of pushing the top six of the Premier League again and their Europa Conference League campaign, you can’t go wrong with either. They need the depth and an improvement on Cresswell and we think both fit this bill.

Kostic or Raum?

Kostic

Kostic

Raum

Raum

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