West Ham are interested in signing Besiktas centre-back Domagoj Vida, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper’s live blog [30/12, 7.22pm] reports that the Hammers have maintained their interest in the World Cup finalist – who helped Croatia achieve second place in the competition – along with the likes of Everton, Fulham and French club Monaco.
The Turkish outfit are willing to cash in on their 6ft [Transfermarkt] enforcer in the January transfer window, despite the fact his contract does not expire with the club until 2022.
OPINION
Signing a centre-back in the New Year would not make any sense in the slightest for West Ham. Manuel Pellegrini has already helped forge a solid central defensive partnership in the shape of Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena, two players who are unlikely to be usurped bar any injury. The Irons also have Angelo Ogbonna to call upon if it were really necessary, so signing Vida in January would prove to be essentially pointless if they already have reinforcements. Centre-back is a not a problem position for the Hammers anyway – they need to be focusing on signing at least one full-back next month. Left-back needs cover, as does right-back – so they are essentially wasting their time looking at other options in the defence. Whether the interest in Vida materialises remains to be seen, but one is for sure – the likes of Balbuena and Diop will be really sweating if he arrived at the London Stadium.
