As reported earlier, Juventus are apparently about to launch a bid for West Ham’s 30 year old [Emerson Palmieri](https://www.claretandhugh.info/?p=133585&preview=true). It seems that The Hammers themselves are being linked with a move in the January market for a defender of a similar age – which regular readers will know fills me with indifference.
We already have one of the oldest squads in the Premier League and adding another thirty year old – however experienced – cannot on first reading be deemed good for the club’s future.
**Victor Lindelof** is reportedly to be under the West Ham microscope as his contract runs down and he is able to leave Manchester United as a free agent in the summer. A ‘modest’ bid would, apparently bring him to London Stadium. There is as always reported interest from other Premier League and Serie A sides according to [_sportwitness.co.uk_](https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/12/16/victor-lindelof-transfer/):”…_Great deal of interest in Lindelof, with the likes of Newcastle, West Ham and Everton among his suitors to try to keep him in the Premier League._
_The Magpies and the Hammers will be well aware of Lindelof’s qualities after his 267 total appearances for United in the last few years, so he makes sense as a proven and experienced option to give both these teams more depth.”_
The report suggests interested clubs may wait to pick him up for ‘free’ in the summer – but in that case they’ll only have to pay the player direct as a ‘golden hello’.
This one transfer might actually make sense for West Ham in January, as he’s a current Swedish International but still a budget option at a reported £6 million-ish.
Good cover? Probably, a great ‘fourth centre-back’ option for a couple of years, so maybe I need to revise my automatic ‘dad’s army’ griping every time The Hammers are linked with a mature player.
Just don’t ever link West Ham with Harry Maguire again. Please.