West Ham United are interested in signing Liverpool academy starlet Tyler Morton, who has struggled to get a look into the first team under Arne Slot.
According to the Times, ‘West Ham have also been following the 22-year-old.’ The Hammers need reinforcement for their brittle engine room, and he is on their wishlist.
Morton is an exciting midfield talent who needs to play regularly to shine, and he could get that game time with West Ham.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is a fan, hailing him as “a brilliant footballer with an outstanding football brain.“
Unfortunately, the Hammers face serious competition for his signature from Primeira Liga club Braga.
Per the report, Braga plan to step up their interest in Morton following his success with England at the European Under-21 Championship.
West Ham might be interested, but there are no reports of a concrete move.
Club Brugge and Ajax are also following the West Ham target, and like Braga, they can offer him a chance to play European football.
West Ham might fail in their bid to bring Morton to East London.
It has been a theme of their summer transfer window after missing out on targets like CJ Egan-Riley, Angel Gomes, and Jonathan David.
West Ham might be better served looking elsewhere for a defensive midfielder to plug the gaping hole in their engine room.
Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez underwhelmed at the base of the West Ham midfield this season. Their centre is crying out for athleticism, steel, and technical quality.
The Irons should consider a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu.
He is reportedly surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and did not follow the squad to the FIFA Club World Cup.
Chelsea might prefer an outright sale, but his contract runs till 2030, giving the Blues room to loan him out temporarily.
Ugochukwu struggled in the Southampton set-up but showed glimpses of his fantastic ability.
He is a physically imposing presence in the centre who can pinch possession and recycle the ball purposefully.
The 21-year-old recovered possession 2.6 times per 90 in the Premier League this season and won 55% of his duels.
The Frenchman could be a wise loan pick-up for a West Ham side struggling to stump up the funds for a much-needed squad overhaul.
(Stats from Sofascore and Transfermarkt)