Sunderland defender Dan Ballard of interest
West Ham United are being widely reported as being keen to sign the Sunderland defender Dan Ballard, as David Moyes continues to look at shoring up our defence.
The 23 year old, who was transferred from Arsenal still has two years left to run on his current deal, with Sunderland having an option to extend his contract by a further year.
It also appears that he is highly thought of by Tony Mowbray who will fight hard to keep him.
The Northern Ireland international had an injury hit season and only made 19 Championship appearances but made a big impact in his first year on Wearside.
Our defence is beginning to look a bit thin, what with losing Craig Dawson to Wolves in January, doubts about Thilo Kehrer and Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd both crocked at various times last season – leaving Moyes definitely in the market for at least one more centre-back this summer.
As we keep saying Moyes really needs to reinforce the squad as West Ham prepare for yet another European adventure after our magnificent Europa Conference League win and, while replacing Declan Rice is a obvious priority, strengthening the defence is a big must at the London Stadium..
www.transfermarkt.co.uk have Ballard valued at a bargain £2.5 million , whether or not he could instantly adapt to the Premier league is another matter though
Deja vu again – Dec on the way, Scamacca and Paqueta unsettled, Kehrer and Areola maybe moving, Downes and Cornet not first choice, Ings not used effectively, and Moyes wants a Championship player untried in the Prem with a poor fitness record. Send in the clowns.
Well, Cresswell and Antonio hadn’t played in the Prem before they signed. Nor had Benrahma. None of them did badly from the Championship.
The signings of Hugill and Downes were comical. If you had ambitions of remaining in the European challenging positions as West Ham would’ve had a year ago…… you don’t sign players as incompetant as Flynn Downes. His Premier League record? Seven starts – seven defeats.