West Ham are going to have to find another center back transfer target to focus on after Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo has reportedly cast the Hammers aside in favor of ramping up negotiations with Serie A title hopefuls Juventus.
In truth, West Ham didn’t really stand a chance against the biggest club in Italy, though the Hammers should be confident they can sign desirable targets, having recently inked in-demand former Wolves center back Max Kilman.
Despite signing Kilman, West Ham aren’t done with making moves for talented central defenders in an effort to give Julen Lopetegui the defensive spine he so desires in London.
One alternative to Todibo is Mainz man Sepp Van den Berg, who shined last season in a career year for the versatile 22-year-old Dutchman.
Currently owned by Liverpool, van den Berg very clearly wants out of Mainz and Liverpool, seeking a transfer at a bigger club, which could be West Ham.
Liverpool could sell van den Berg for a reasonable 20 million pounds, making the defender both younger and cheaper than Nice’s Todibo.
Another player to watch is Loic Bade, who had another excellent season for Sevilla in LaLiga and is a former Europa League winner, having stood out in that final against Roma with a Man of the Match-caliber display.
Alongside the legendary Sergio Ramos, Bade has formed an excellent central defensive partnership in the Spanish top flight and would be a dream get for West Ham at the age of 24.
If West Ham aren’t averse to signing someone a little older, Crystal Palace star Joachim Andersen has been one of the best in the Premier League for years and is arguably the most underrated center back in European football.
