If a report from Italian outlet Messagro Veneto is believed to be true, West Ham United are eyeing a summer swoop for Oumar Solet. They need significant reinforcements in the defensive third, and the centre-half from Udinese, who has also emerged as a target for Manchester United, could produce a transfer tug-of-war in the upcoming window.
The 25-year-old former French youth international spent his youth years with FC Dammarie-les-Lys, Créteil, US Villejuif and Laval before breaking into the latter’s first-team squad in the Division 3. He impressed enough for Les Tango to secure a €1.45m transfer to Lyon, but was mostly confined to their reserves with just four senior appearances till the summer of 2020.
Austrian heavyweights RB Salzburg snapped him up for an initial €4.5m transfer fee from the Ligue 1 giants. Although he featured more than 100 times for the Red Bulls, the club terminated his contract on mutual agreement following a transfer collapse at Hoffenheim due to a failed medical test.
While West Ham were keen on Solet last summer, they missed the opportunity of tying him down on a Bosman earlier this year. So far, he has made 10 appearances for the 10th-placed Friulians, who are aiming for a top-half Serie A finish. They have set a valuation of around €30m for the centre-back, and have already lined up FC Sion’s Gora Diouf as a potential replacement.
Why West Ham United Should Bolster Their Defence By Snapping Up Solet
It would be an incredible business for Giampaolo Pozzo, who pursued Solet’s signing despite medical concerns. On the contrary, the Hammers must be disappointed for not roping him in over the past two windows. Yet they could splash the cash for the Frenchman, particularly with Max Kilman, Jean Clair-Tobido, and Konstantinos Mavropanos’ lack of impact in the heart of the backline.
West Ham United went downwards under Julen Lopetegui, thus resulting in the Spaniard’s dismissal. Graham Potter replaced him as the Irons boss, but the Englishman has struggled to put his philosophy into practice, regardless of derby wins against Fulham and Arsenal. He needs players who would fit in his style of play, and Solet, known for his ball-playing ability, passing attributes and physical supremacy, ticks many boxes to flourish under the ex-Brighton and Chelsea gaffer.
Although it remains to be seen whether the Hammers retain their first-choice central defensive trio, Potter, who prefers a ‘back three’, does not have ample alternatives other than Edson Álvarez. The Mexican, predominantly a ‘number six’, is only a makeshift option, and the arrival of the Udinese star would add depth and quality in deep defence.
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