CB: Ibrahim Amadou
Also chased by fellow Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace, Lille’s Ibrahim Amadou is emerging as a prime defensive target for West Ham this summer. The Hammers will have to pay a high price to get him though, as the French side demanded a whopping fee in excess of £17m in January.
At 24, Amadou has the right blend of experience and potential, which can provide a new lease of life for the Hammers in a defensive aspect. With James Collins’ contract coming to a close this summer and Jose Fonte already gone, it’s clear the central defence needs reinforcements.
Amadou isn’t a stand-out name who can immediately provide excitement to the defence but, in truth, that’s not what this signing needs to provide. For West Ham, a successful defensive signing is one you don’t need to talk about, one who quietly goes about his business, and Amadou could be that man.
