Ornstein reveals Arsenal, Chelsea defenders as prime West Ham targets
West Ham have targeted Arsenal hard-man Sead Kolasinac and Chelsea star Emerson Palmieri as they hunt for a new left-back.
That’s the news coming via The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who suggests David Moyes is looking to create some competition for Aaron Cresswell.
The report claims Moyes wants to bolster his defence after their opening, sorry 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle.
In which order the Hammers are looking at the duo is unclear, but both players could well be available.
Chelsea have recruited England star Ben Chilwell and he will likely become Frank Lampard’s favoured left-back. That will leave Emerson, who featured 15 times in the Premier League last season, further down the pecking order.
Last month his agent confirmed a move for the defender was likely.
Fernando Garcia told FcInter1908, as cited by Sport Witness, said: “[Any] Chance he will leave Chelsea? Yes, this possibility exists.
“I haven’t talked to the London club yet. I can only say that Inter are interested in the player. We’ll see…”
Meanwhile, Bosnia international Kolasinac is also available, according to the Mirror.
Mikel Arteta is looking to make some room in his squad and he has identified the 27-year-old as a player who can leave The Emirates.
Kieran Tierney has shaken off his injury worries and expected to take his place in the left of a back three with Bukayo Saka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Cedric Soares all options at left wing-back.
The powerful defender has made 105 appearances since joining the Gunners from Schalke on a free transfer in the summer of 2017. He is under contract until 2022 and Arsenal will probably be looking for a fee in excess of £10m for the player.
Paulo targeted
Meanwhile, the Hammers have made an approach for Fluminese forward Marcos Paulo, TEAMtalk can reveal.
The 19-year-old is a huge prospect in the Brazilian game. As such his side pinned Paulo to a release clause of £40million at just 17-year-old.
Despite being Brazilian by birth, Paulo is a Portuguese youth international, meaning any move to the Premier League should be simple enough.
He was first spotted by European clubs playing in the famed Toulon youth tournament in France. Paulo starred in a win over England – the then champions – when he scored the winner.
Paulo is now on West Ham’s radar – who are looking at a deal to bring him to England. Our sources, however, have indicated Arsenal, Watford, Leeds and Southampton have also cast an eye over the player.