---
title: "West Ham United: Evening Standard reporter lifts lid on GSB call in 9-word transfer claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-evening-standard-reporter-lifts-lid-on-gsb-call-in-9-word-transfer-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-07-03T09:10:45Z"
modified: "2021-07-03T09:10:45Z"
---

# West Ham United: Evening Standard reporter lifts lid on GSB call in 9-word transfer claim

**Writing on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JackRosser_/status/1410550454652657667), 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.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”348682″\]

Centre-backs appear mainly on the agenda, with a recent [Claret & Hugh](https://www.claretandhugh.info/candh-exclusive-moyes-wants-three-positions-filled/) 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](https://sportslens.com/west-ham-have-submitted-an-offer-for-junior-firpo/367110/) 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.

[West Ham latest!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-2/)

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](https://www.patreon.com/posts/51720396) 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](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/18/Show/England-Southampton)), 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.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/west-ham-united-fans-flock-to-official-club-announcement/)***