As per reliable source The Athletic, an update from West Ham has emerged regarding central defender Angelo Ogbonna.Â
The lowdown: Current situation
The 33-year-old was an ever-present in David Moyes’ starting line up during the opening weeks of the 2021/22 campaign and had played every Premier League minute prior to being injured against Liverpool at the London Stadium back in November.
Since then the experienced Italian has undergone successful surgery on a cruciate ligament injury but remains unlikely to make a full return to competitive action before the end of the season.
Out of contract in the summer (Transfermarkt), there had been questions as to whether Ogbonna might’ve played his final game for the club.
The latest: New deal incoming
According to the report, having returned to ‘light training’ the club are looking to reward the 13-cap Italy ace with a prolonged stay.
Therefore, West Ham are ‘expected to activate the one-year option’ to extend Ogbonna’s deal beyond the end of the ongoing season.
The east Londoners are also believed to be set to open ‘preliminary talks’ over a new contract for the man once described as ‘top-class’ by Garth Crooks following a team of the week worthy display against Everton.
The verdict: No brainer
Whilst it remains to be seen how the 6ft 2ins centre-back will come back from what was a serious injury, Ogbonna’s unerring quality was there for all to see as the ex-Juventus man helped Moyes’ side towards three clean sheets in 11 league outings early on.
Recruitment chief Rob Newman will be looking to further add to the defensive ranks, particularly as Issa Diop seems destined to move on to pastures new, but tying down the experienced Italian is undoubtedly a smart place to start the summer business.
Potential incomings aside, Ogbonna will be 34 when the new season begins and could be used in a rotation with fellow reliable veteran Craig Dawson to partner Kurt Zouma as West Ham attempt to fight on multiple trophy fronts once again.
In other news: Find out who the three worst West Ham players were against Burnley.Â
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