West Ham United are targeting Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir in the January transfer window, according to Aksam.
The Turkish outlet claim on their website that the Hammers are set to join Liverpool in the hunt for the highly-rated 23-year-old in between the sticks.
Aksam reports that Mario Husillos and goalkeeping coach, Xavi Valero have approved a potential move for the Turkish keeper due to the struggles of Roberto in the absence of the injured Lukasz Fabianski.
Cakir has made 12 appearances in the Turkish League this season and has only managed to keep one clean sheet against Alanyaspor in a 1-0 victory.
OPINION
It seems strange that the Hammers have sought the approval of Husillos, given that his role as the director of football at the London Stadium is reportedly in danger [Football Insider]. What isn’t strange, is the fact that West Ham are targeting a new keeper in the January window, especially after two months of hell for Roberto in the Premier League. The experienced stopper didn’t manage to keep a single clean sheet during his time in goal and has recently been dropped for David Martin. Cakir may have been targeted by Liverpool, but he hasn’t exactly caught the eye with a number of impressive performances this season. The 23-year-old has picked up five yellow cards somehow in goal and has a poor pass success rate of only 55.8% according to WhoScored – nowhere near good enough to move to a side that wants to play possession-based football under Pellegrini. Cakir definitely has room to improve, but he will need to do it quickly to justify a move to the Premier League.
