Southampton centre-back Jan Bednarek in action
West Ham United’s proposed deal for Southampton defender Jan Bednarek is now off, according to Sky Sports News.
The lowdown
Sky reporter Dharmesh Sheth had claimed earlier in the day that the 26-year-old’ loan move to the London Stadium was ‘ready to go’. They were waiting on the anticipated departure of Craig Dawson before greenlighting the signing of the Polish centre-back.
David Moyes apparently wants to strengthen his central defensive ranks, as well as his midfield, before the transfer window shuts at 11pm.
The latest
Shortly after 3:30pm, Sky Sports shared the following on-air update about Bednarek, who now looks set to join a different club:
“Breaking news coming into us in the last few seconds here – Jan Bednarek’s proposed move to West Ham looks like it’s off.
“Sorry West Ham fans. The Southampton centre-back is now thought to be moving to another club.”
The verdict
It looks like the club in question is going to be Aston Villa. David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that the Villans have a deal in place with the 26-year-old after securing his assent.
He said that West Ham were close to an agreement, but Bednarek preferred to join Steven Gerrard’s side instead.
Perhaps he believes he’ll get more game-time in the Midlands, with Diego Carlos ruled out for much of the season through injury. At West Ham, on the other hand, he would have been competing with the likes of Thilo Kehrer, Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna for minutes.
Indeed, the Hammers look fairly well-stocked at centre-back, so it wouldn’t be a disaster if they failed to find an alternative before tonight’s transfer deadline.
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