---
title: "Exclusive: Expert gives lowdown on West Ham target Duje Caleta-Car"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-expert-gives-lowdown-on-west-ham-target-duje-caleta-car-e167/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Danny Rust"
section: "Exclusive"
published: "2021-07-09T05:10:34Z"
modified: "2021-07-09T05:10:34Z"
---

# Exclusive: Expert gives lowdown on West Ham target Duje Caleta-Car

**[Get French Football News](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/) writer Adam White insists Duje Caleta-Car would need to be a regular starter if he is to thrive in the Premier League.**

The Croatia international has been linked with a move away from Marseille, with England being touted as a potential destination for the central defender.

Caleta-Car made [39 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/duje-caleta-car/leistungsdaten/spieler/238266/plus/0?saison=2020) for the French club last season but is expected to depart as Jorge Sampaoli prepares for his first full season in charge.

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West Ham United have been long-term admirers of the 24-year-old, but he [turned down a move](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/oct/03/marseille-defender-duje-caleta-car-west-ham-david-moyes-premier-league) to the London Stadium last September as he wanted to remain in the Champions League.

However, with David Moyes’ side preparing for a return to European football in the Europa League, the Hammers have [revived their interest](https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/exwhuemployee-explains-why-duje-caleta-car-move-to-west-ham-could-be-about-to-speed-up/).

While Fabian Balbuena has departed the club following the [expiry of his contract](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/june/04-june/retained-list-issued-fabian-balbuena-depart), Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop provide Moyes with plenty of options.

[White](https://twitter.com/_adam_white_?lang=en) believes Caleta-Car, 24, would struggle in his new surroundings if he is not in the starting line-up regularly.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, White said: *“He’s very physical, he’s a really big bloke, but not particularly nimble or pacey.*

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*“He has improved at Marseille but I think he’s one of those players that would need to be playing every game to get rhythm and consistency. If he was expected to drop in and out, I would worry about his sharpness.*

*“You could argue that he’s maybe found his level at Marseille.”*