Utrecht left-back Souffian El Karouani has been linked with a January move to West Ham.
While West Ham want to make new signings in the coming weeks, a left-back is not understood to be atop their transfer priorities.
El Hadji Malick Diouf joined in the summer and has been a regular for Nuno Espirito Santo as a left-back as well as a left wing-back.
How far can Malick Diouf go? And what does he need to do to become a world-class left-back?
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El Karouani issues come-and-get-me plea to West Ham
While there are yet to be credible reports linking El Karouani to West Ham, he appears to have taken matters into his own hands.
He has gone on record to state that he would be open to moving to the London Stadium and has stated that his agent is working on a January transfer.
The 25-year-old has expressed his desire to play the World Cup and admitted that moving to a bigger club would help him attain his goals.
The Premier League undoubtedly is the biggest stage with regard to club football and it seems clear that the Morocco international wants a move to the English top flight.
Speaking about the West Ham links, he told RTV Utrecht: “It could happen. It’s a great club. My agent is working on my behalf. I’m waiting to see what happens. I can look back on a wonderful year in Utrecht.”
Will West Ham sign El Karouani in January?
Usually, players are not so public about which club they want to sign and what their agents are working on ahead of transfer windows.
However, El Karouani does not seem to have any problem addressing the Hammers’ links directly and issuing pleas for the London Stadium outfit to come and sign him.
Which position do West Ham need to strengthen the most and why? Who is your dream January signing?
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While signing him would make sense as he’s having the season of his life, providing 15 assists in 29 games in all competitions, this is not an area the club need to strengthen.
West Ham want a new centre-back, which is why they are exploring a deal to sign Charlie Cresswell from Toulouse.
A striker is also the priority and is ahead of a new left-back in the pecking order for Nuno in the coming weeks.
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