---
title: "West Ham United: Hammers hold talks over signing Duje Caleta-Car"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-hammers-hold-talks-over-signing-duje-caleta-car/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-08-05T12:35:44Z"
modified: "2021-08-05T12:35:44Z"
---

# West Ham United: Hammers hold talks over signing Duje Caleta-Car

**According to a report by [Get French Football News](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2021/west-ham-restart-talks-with-marseilles-caleta-car-as-zouma-remains-priority/), West Ham United have ‘reinitiated contacts’ and ‘restarted’ talks with Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car.**

### The Lowdown: West Ham still hunting centre-half…

The Hammers have earmarked a new central defensive addition as their top priority before signing a new striker according to [ExWHUemployee](https://www.patreon.com/posts/centre-back-54335426), but time is fast running out to get deals over the line.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”368246″\]

August 31, the summer transfer window deadline, is slowly approaching and thus far West Ham have only confirmed one major signing with goalkeeper Alphonse Areola joining on loan from Paris-Saint Germain.

### The Latest: West Ham re-start Caleta-Car talks

As per GFFN, the Irons are now in contact with Caleta-Car and are holding talks with the player – but no approach to his club, Marseille, has been made yet.

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

Indeed, while West Ham are back in touch with the Croatia international, they are yet to commence negotiations with Marseille or make an official bid to sign Caleta-Car this summer.

However, as per this report, Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma remains West Ham’s priority as a potential central defensive signing.

### The Verdict: Milenkovic the better option…

Caleta-Car does arguably have the credentials to be a successful Premier League signing.

The [£22.5 million-valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/duje-caleta-car/profil/spieler/238266) powerhouse, standing at a colossal 6 foot 4, averaged a higher pass accuracy ([86.1%](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/251134/History/Duje-Caleta-Car)) out from the back domestically than any West Ham defender last season ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/29/Show/England-West-Ham)).

However, fellow West Ham target Nikola Milenkovic possesses similar physical traits and could leave Fiorentina for as little as €15 million (£12.7m) this summer according to [Charlie Eccleshare.](https://twitter.com/CDEccleshare/status/1420033399717310480)

We believe GSB need to secure their central defensive signing as soon as possible and move on to the big issue of signing a striker, so the cheaper and more attainable option in Milenkovic makes a lot of sense.

***In other news: ‘Yesssss’, ‘What we’ve been asking for’…West Ham fans flock to official club post, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/west-ham-united-fans-erupt-as-declan-rice-returns-to-training/)***