West Ham are one of several Premier League clubs interested in signing Udinese defender Oumar Solet, according to reports.
TEAMtalk claim the Hammers are among the Frenchman’s “long-term admirers”, but they could face competition from Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United and Crystal Palace if they try to make a move for him during the January transfer window.
Solet has caught the eye playing for Udinese this season, and a move to England next month cannot be ruled out.
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At the moment, it is not entirely clear which team is the likeliest to table a bid for the centre-half, although West Ham would be among the favourites to make an approach, considering the problems they are having defensively.
Solet is a somewhat controversial figure
The 25-year-old arrived at Udinese in somewhat unusual circumstances. He had been playing for Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.
However, after failing to secure a move to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim during the 2024 summer transfer window, Salzburg opted to terminate Solet’s contract early in September with questions raised about his commitment.
Within a few months, the centre-back had secured a free transfer to Italy, where he has been a fixture in the Serie A side’s starting lineup ever since.
West Ham are looking to recruit a centre-back
The Irons are hoping to reinforce the middle of defence when the transfer window opens. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has been chopping and changing his three main options – Jean-Clair Todibo, Konstantinos Mavrapanos and Max Kilman – without much success, and it is an area of the pitch that is badly in need of fresh blood.
They were reportedly hoping to land Manchester City’s Nathan Ake on an initial loan deal, but it has recently been confirmed that the Netherlands international has no interest in moving to the London Stadium.
Solet may well come under consideration as an alternative, along with the likes of Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell, who has also been heavily linked with West Ham.
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