West Ham head coach Graham Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay are hoping to lure Josh Acheampong away from Chelsea, according to ExWHUEmployee.
Writing on the West Ham Way Patreon (quotes via their website), Ex said that Potter and Macaulay are big fans of the defender, having worked with him before during their time at Stamford Bridge:
“The club are interested in young Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong. The defender last year signed a five-year deal so it’s unlikely that Chelsea will let him go for a small amount.”
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“He can play at centre back and right back and stands at 6 foot 5. The player was born and raised in Waltham Forest, so not far from West Ham and has represented England at Under 20 level as well as being eligible for Mo Kudus’ national side, Ghana. Both Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay are very aware of the player from their Chelsea days.”
Acheampong has not been getting much game time
Before signing a new contract with Chelsea last year, the teenager was effectively frozen out by the Blues and, while he has made a number of starts since putting pen to paper on an extension, his minutes have been limited in recent weeks.
Manager Enzo Maresca did name Acheampong in the starting lineup for the first leg of the Conference League last 16 tie against FC Copenhagen last month but the defender was played out of position at left-back and was substituted at half-time.
That was the 18-year-old’s one and only start since January when he played in back-to-back Premier League matches against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
West Ham are also targeting another centre-back
In addition to the Chelsea youngster, it is believed that the Hammers are likely to mount a serious attempt to sign CJ Egan-Riley from Burnley.
Ex has previously confirmed the club’s interest in the former Manchester City academy graduate and it now appears a concrete offer will be made over the coming weeks.
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