---
title: "West Ham: Irons in ‘talks’ to sign Attila Szalai"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-attila-szalai-fenerbahce-thilo-kehrer-latest-transfer-news-rumours-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chloe Chadwick"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2022-08-12T17:11:08Z"
modified: "2022-08-12T17:11:08Z"
---

# West Ham: Irons in ‘talks’ to sign Attila Szalai

**[West Ham United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/) are in ‘talks’ to sign Fenerbahce centre-back Attila Szalai this summer, according to Daily Express journalist [Ryan Taylor](https://twitter.com/RyanTaylorSport).**

### The Lowdown: Short of options

The Irons are desperately on the hunt for new defenders given the current [injury crisis](https://www.premierinjuries.com/teams/west-ham-united) at the London Stadium, with Kurt Zouma being the only senior option [available](https://www.flashscore.co.uk/match/veaB2OmQ/#/match-summary/lineups) for selection for the club’s [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) curtain-raiser against Manchester City last weekend.

The 24-year-old Szalai has [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fenerbahce-istanbul/berateruebersicht/verein/36) years remaining on his contract with Jorge Jesus’ side, though it’s been [reported](https://www.westhamzone.com/news/exclusive-west-ham-submit-second-bid-for-fenerbahce-defender-attila-szalai/) that the Turkish giants would be willing to let him leave in the coming weeks if their valuation is met.

### The Latest: West Ham in contact with Szalai

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/ryantaylorsport/status/1557690072471900161?s=21&t=VWboBcIeicXqzeJLefKnSw), Taylor credited West Ham with a genuine interest in Szalai and revealed that the two parties are now in discussions over a potential deal. He wrote:

“Correction: No bid yet from West Ham for Attila Szalai but talks on. Story corrected. Apologies. Fenerbahce chiefs anticipate offer & have discussed WHUFC interest with player in Brno, Czech Republic ahead of Europa League play-off second leg vs FC Slovacko.”

### The Verdict: As well as Kehrer?

The Irons are already thought to be [closing in](https://www.caughtoffside.com/2022/08/11/thilo-kehrer-west-ham-united-transfer-bid-made-to-psg/) on a deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Thilo Kehrer, but Moyes clearly needs to sign more than one centre-back, and Szalai would be a welcome addition.

The Hungarian was [labelled](https://twitter.com/ftalentscout/status/1369012465137299456?s=21&t=a_q_-9Ch__SCFwdfJS8y7Q) ‘one of the best defenders in Turkey’ by football talent scout [Jacek Kulig](https://twitter.com/FTalentScout) and ‘[versatile](https://twitter.com/Buntingfootball/status/1351522263426867200)‘ by journalist Josh Bunting, as he is capable of playing on the left side of defence too.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375613″\]

Standing at a colossal 6 foot 4, Szalai would add some physical strength to the heart of Moyes’ backline, and the fact he can fill in for Aaron Cresswell at times could make him the perfect addition alongside Kehrer.