West Ham United have been linked with a January move for Rangers striker Ryan Naderi, although the Scottish club are reportedly reluctant to sell their 6ft 4in centre-forward. According to TEAMtalk journalist Fraser Fletcher, the Hammers and Wolves are among several clubs monitoring the 23-year-old.
Naderi has registered 14 goal contributions in 17 appearances this season, attracting interest from England and Germany. However, Rangers are understood to be wary of entertaining a January sale as they chase the Scottish Premiership title.
The link is particularly interesting given West Ham’s search for a replacement for Taty Castellanos. As Claret & Hugh exclusively revealed yesterday, Nils Koppen has already approached a France based striker ahead of the January transfer window, while the club would consider offers for the Argentine.
West Ham’s Rangers Connection Is No Coincidence
To see West Ham linked with a striker from Rangers should really come as no surprise.
After all, the Hammers have recruited several senior executives with connections to Ibrox, including Koppen and new chief financial officer James Taylor, who previously worked together at Rangers alongside acting chief executive Karim Virani.
Given those relationships, it stands to reason that Koppen would have a particularly close eye on developments at his former club.
In fact, it’s not just the blue half of Glasgow where Koppen appears to have his finger on the pulse. West Ham broke the Championship transfer record during the summer by bringing Arne Engels to east London from Celtic.
Koppen worked at Rangers as Director of Football
Could Naderi Replace Castellanos?
At 6ft 4in, Naderi certainly offers the physical presence of a traditional centre-forward. The German-born Czech international joined Rangers from Hansa Rostock earlier this year and has made an impressive start to life in Scottish football.
Whether he is the right striker for Scott Parker remains to be seen, but the reported interest makes sense given West Ham’s need to strengthen their attacking options.
I very much doubt this is about replacing Joël Piroe, who remains part of Parker’s plans. The more pressing issue is Castellanos, with West Ham already exploring the possibility of moving on the £27 million striker.
Given Koppen’s connections in Glasgow and West Ham’s search for another centre-forward, this is one transfer link that doesn’t require too much imagination to seem believable.