West Ham are “working hard” to secure the signature of Lecce wingback Patrick Dorgu, according to the Gazzetta Dello Sport.
However, the Denmark international has plenty of other suitors vying for his services ahead of the next transfer window.
Chelsea and Tottenham both weighed up moves for Dorgu at the start of the season, while RB Leipzig are also keen on the player, but the most immediate threat appears to be coming from Napoli.
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Gazzetta report that the 20-year-old is “flattered” by the interest being shown in him by the Serie A league leaders and the Partenopei are putting a plan in place to sign him in January.
Dorgu’s high price tag may be a factor in negotiations
Napoli are said to be hoping to persuade Lecce by offering to loan back the player for the rest of the campaign. However, the €40m (£33m) asking price could complicate their plans.
With that being the case, it would allow West Ham and others to swoop in and purchase Dorgu if they are prepared to meet the valuation.
Of course, that would depend on the Irons finding the necessary cash. They don’t exactly have a lot of money to spend after investing heavily in new players last summer.
What do West Ham fans need to know about the player?
The Dane started his career in FC Nordsjaelland’s famed academy before leaving his native country for Lecce on an initial loan deal in the summer of 2022.
After securing a permanent move to Italy last year, Dorgu made his senior debut against Como during a Coppa Italia game in August 2023.
He quickly established himself as a starter for Lecce, playing most of his first season as a left-back or left wingback. However, since the start of this campaign, he has swapped positions between the left and right flank, having been deployed as a right-winger on a regular basis.
Find out who is in West Ham’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here