OPINION
The emphasis in east London at the moment is heavily being placed on West Ham signing a striker.
The Hammers are in desperate need of a new hitman, with Andy Carroll and Lucas Perez already having left the club, and Maxi Gomez seemingly on his way to Valencia, as reported by the Guardian.
But that doesn’t mean that the Hammers should limit themselves in the transfer market either.
If the right opportunity comes up at the right price, the Irons should pounce, and by the sounds of it, one such chance could be coming over the horizon.
The Daily Mail report that Ajax defender Joel Veltman is keen on leaving the Dutch champions this summer, and that the Hammers have been monitoring his situation.
The 27-year-old is a fine player, and one who would add some real quality to the heart of the Irons’ defence.
Issa Diop and Fabien Balbuena have both impressed since moving to England, but if a Champions League semi-finalist like Veltman is available and keen, it would be foolish to turn him down.
The Dutchman missed a large part of last season due to a ligament injury, but he returned in February, and looked as bright as ever.
Veltman was dribbled past just 0.8 times per 90 minutes for Ajax last term, and completed 3.4 successful tackles per 90 as well [Whoscored]. Throw in 3.2 clearances per 90 and this is clearly a lad who knows how to defend.
A new defender may not be a high priority, but these opportunities don’t come up every day, and the Hammers must pounce upon it.
