Writing on Twitter, journalist Jack Rosser of the Evening Standard has lifted the lid on a GSB call with his 9-word West Ham transfer revelation involving Ryan Bertrand.
The Lowdown: West Ham line up new defenders?
The defensive department is one key area of the pitch West Ham have been touted to reinforce this transfer window.
Centre-backs appear mainly on the agenda, with a recent Claret & Hugh report stating the Irons are keen for new bodies in that position.
Former defender Fabian Balbuena has also just departed, adding to West Ham’s need for a centre-half replacement, but the club could also look to strengthen in the full-back positions.
Junior Firpo, for example, has been linked with a move to east London as West Ham keen tabs on new defenders.
The Latest: Rosser lifts lid on GSB call involving Bertrand…
Now, writing on Twitter, journalist Rosser of the Evening Standard has lifted the lid on a GSB call involving former Southampton left-back Bertrand.
The Englishman has now agreed to join Leicester City upon the expiry of his Saints contract but West Ham apparently had the chance to make a move – with Rosser dropping the 9-word claim ‘West Ham turned down the chance to sign him’.
West Ham had been backed to exploit the free agent market by reliable club insider ExWHUemployee as a useful tool, especially given the club’s financial difficulties due to coronavirus.
Alas, it appears Bertrand wasn’t worth the effort in that regard.
The Verdict: Good call?
Bertrand was a mainstay under Ralph Hasenhuttl during his last season on the south coast, where he started 29 Premier League games.
During that time, he made the third-most tackles per 90 on average (2.1) out of any Southampton player with over 20 appearances (WhoScored), so we believe he could have been an astute back up option for West Ham – especially on a free deal.
You could of course make an argument that the 31-year-old would’ve been a quick fix to bolster left-back position and hardly a long term solution, but with barely any fees involved, the Irons had little to lose financially.
In other news: ‘Exciting’, ‘Here we go’…West Ham fans flock to official club announcement, find out more here.
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