According to the Daily Mail, West Ham United have identified Tottenham Hotspur’s full-back Kieran Trippier as a solution for their defensive turmoil. However, the north London club are set to rebuff any offers for the backup defender.
In recent weeks, the main talking points have been their two most prized possessions, Harry Kane and Dele Alli, and surprisingly the club are standing firm to not let go Trippier too.
The Hammers are enduring problems at the right back position and it’s understandable they have plunged headlong into the winter window for instant remedy. Recent signings Alvaro Arbeloa and Sam Byram failed to shine and the slot has been forcefully filled by winger Michail Antonio and midfielder Havard Nordtveit. Slaven Bilic’s decision was made on the hoof and he has now seen enough of stopgaps.
West Ham are believed to have made an enquiry for Stoke City’s Glen Johnson too yet his current club is keen to extend the former Liverpool defender’s contract. At the age of 32, he too won’t be a long-term solution, which is why Trippier is shortlisted.
The 26-year-old arrived at White Hart Lane from Burnley in 2015 and his chances of breaking into the first team are evaporating day by day. Last season, he featured in only 5 league games yet was a regular in cup competitions. Kyle Walker has made the right back position his and is clearly among the fan favourite at the club.
Trippier, on the other hand, has proved that there is more to his game than being a capable deputy for Walker. In the recent 4-1 victory over Watford, the former Burnley defender came in for the suspended 26-year-old and bagged two assists in the first half. Mauricio Pochettino clearly never felt the absence of his first choice right back.
During his time with the Clarets, the former Manchester City youngster was a vital figure not only for tireless defending but his penchant of lofting in dangerous crosses in the box that brought the best out of Danny Ings. An attribute that caught the attention of Bilic, considering the towering attacking options at his disposal.
The West Ham boss has also been monitoring the situation of former Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra, Hull City’s Ahmed Elmohamady and Dominic Iorfa of Wolves.
Apart from bolstering his defensive ranks, Standard Sports have reported that Bilic is also interested in Celtic’s sizzling star Moussa Dembele, who has scored 19 goals this campaign. The Hammers have launched a £20 million bid to lure him away but the Scottish giants are seeking £10 million extra. Being gyrated by other European giants too, West Ham can be easily overpowered if a bidding war takes place for the starlet. Cheaper options like Brentford’s Scott Hogan and Sunderland’s Jermaine Defoe seems more realistic.
