According to a report from The Express and Star, West Brom defender Ahmed Hegazi has a £10 million release clause in his contract. The Egypt international was one of a few shining lights in an otherwise disastrous Premier League campaign for the Baggies last season and has subsequently attracted interest from top-flight side West Ham, who for £10 million must seek to seal a bargain deal for the centre back.

The Breakdown

The 27-year-old defender only made the move to the Hawthorns last summer in a bid to strengthen the centre back ranks at the Midlands outfit ahead of the 2017/18 season, and while he did his bit in starting in all 38 Premier League games, he wasn’t able to keep the Baggies in the top tier.

However, his efforts didn’t go unnoticed and Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham are one side reportedly keen on extending his stay in the Premier League, with the Egyptian star seemingly an upgrade on current Hammers defender Winston Reid.

Yes, the 30-year-old has been a magnificent servant to the East London outfit since his move there back in 2010, appearing 223 times for the club in the last eight years, but he wasn’t at his best last term to suggest that he may be past his best.

And if West Ham are serious about moving to the next level under new boss Pellegrini, they have to be much better defensively this season, having shipped 68 goals in their 38 games last term (interestingly, that was 12 more than Hegazi’s West Brom).

And with Jose Fonte leaving the club back in January and James Collins’ contract at an end this summer, the Hammers will surely be on the lookout for further defensive reinforcements to add to the signing of youngster Issa Diop last month – Hegazi fits the bill.

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The 27-year-old is aerially very strong but also has great positional awareness and strength in the tackle, while he also came up with key goals for West Brom in victory over Bournemouth and defeat to Southampton to underline his threat in the opposition penalty area.

And at three years younger than Reid, adding Hegazi would also be a greater nod to the long term, and for a reported £10 million, it could turn out to be an absolute bargain if the Egyptian replicates his form from last season.

Thus, the Hammers must seek to seal a deal for the 27-year-old Baggies star in a bid to upgrade on centre back Reid, who didn’t enjoy his best season last time round.

West Ham fans… what do you think? Let us know!