Poland's Jakub Kiwior during the press conference
West Ham United are eyeing a move for Spezia centre-back Jakub Kiwior, who has recently returned from World Cup duty with national side Poland.
The Lowdown: West Ham target defender
West Ham have been somewhat up and down in the Premier League this season, and manager David Moyes has seemingly identified the need for a new defender to help find some consistency through the spine.
Kiwior started every game for his national side in Qatar, prior to their exit to reigning champions France, keeping two clean sheets in the process, and he is now being considered for a switch to the London Stadium.
The Latest: Kiwior in Moyes’ sights
According to a report from Sport Witness, sharing news from the Italian press, the enforcer is a target for the Hammers next summer, but also the likes of Napoli, AS Roma, AC Milan and Juventus.
Originally, the colossus was valued at around £13m, but owing to his displays at the World Cup, his valuation has now risen to £17m, with his future considered likely to be in the Premier League.
The Verdict: Dawson replacement?
The defender, dubbed ‘impressive‘ by Serie A analyst Matteo Bonetti, has been in remarkable form for Spezia over the past year, averaging 2.9 clearances per 90 minutes, placing him in the 99th percentile compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top leagues.
At just 22, the Poland international would be a fantastic long-term option to replace Craig Dawson, who is expected to depart in 2023 and is of a similar ilk in terms of his no-nonsense approach to defending.
During the World Cup, the West Ham target has built on his form at club level, particularly impressing in the 0-0 draw against Mexico, making five clearances and two interceptions in the match to help ensure his side came away with an important point.
By performing so well in a game of such magnitude, the starlet emphasised that he is now worthy of testing himself in the Premier League, and West Ham should prioritise his signature in the summer, if they can fend off the interest from elsewhere.
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