WEST HAM face an uphill battle to land Red Bull Salzburg’s Rasmus Kristensen and ease their defensive problems.
The Hammers have made a bid of around £4.5million for the right-back, 22, and hope to secure a deal before the transfer deadline at 11pm tomorrow.
West Ham can only sign Rasmus Kristensen before the deadline if RB Salzburg land a replacementCredit: Getty – Contributor
But the Austrian club are only ready to sell if they can get a replacement – and that is proving tricky.
To further complicate the deal, Salzburg are slowly nursing their only other right-back, Patrick Farkas, back to full health after he suffered a stroke in October.
Farkas, 27, is playing again but his long term future in football remains uncertain.
Kristensen has also suffered a minor injury, although he is now back in light training.
DRAMATIC BID
Hammers’ boss David Moyes is seeking a right back as Ryan Fredericks is injured and he believes 35-year-old Pablo Zabaleta cannot carry the burden alone any more.
Moyes handed a debut to teenage wing back Jeremy Ngakia, 19, in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool.
Meanwhile, the Hammers are also making a late £12m move for Hull City’s goalscoring wideman Jarrod Bowen.
The Tigers fear the 23-year-old will not sign a contract and so could depart on a free transfer in the summer.
Hull wanted £20m, but despite interest from Crystal Palace only Leeds have come close to the valuation so far, by offering a £3m loan plus a £15m promotion bonus.
Newcastle have also been monitoring Bowen as manager Steve Bruce wants a couple more signings.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk