West Ham have been named as one of 5 Premier League clubs who want brilliant Portuguese right-back Tiago Santos this summer.
Any doubts that West Ham desperately need a new right-back this summer have been firmly put to bed recently.
If you asked any West Ham fan the positions the Hammers needed to strengthen most in the last few windows, right-back would have been near the top of the list.
West Ham have seen just what is needed from a modern full-back in games against top opposition including Bayer Leverkusen.
Vladimir Coufal has been one of West Ham’s most consistent players and a great professional.
He has chipped in with a number of assists too.
The Czech warrior has been a superb signing for the Hammers at less than £5m from Slavia Prague three-and-a-half years ago.
Coufal isn’t getting any younger, though, turning 32 at the start of next season.
He is also said to be unhappy with his contract situation after West Ham took up a one-year option on his deal to keep him on his current salary.
Right-back to the drawing board for West Ham
Beyond Coufal, Ben Johnson is the club’s only back-up. A couple of half decent substitute performances here and there cannot disguise the fact that Johnson simply isn’t up to it at the top level.
A handy and versatile squad player perhaps. But the contract rebel’s awful defending for killer second goals in both 2-0 defeats against Leverkusen and Fulham have proved so costly.
Johnson looks set to leave on a free transfer this summer.
So West Ham technical director Tim Steidten needs to be on the hunt for at least one quality young star for that position.
Steidten is already said to be eyeing an exciting Italian right-back who compares himself to Kyle Walker.
Now West Ham have been named as a club who want to sign brilliant Portuguese right-back Tiago Santos.
Hammers named as club who want Lille star Santos
According to transfer reporter Dean Jones on Sportlens, the Hammers are one of five Premier League clubs are vying to sign Lille’s super quick 21-year-old full-back.
Santos has been sensational for Lille this season and is known for his superb dribbling skills, pace, passing ability and aggressive tackling.
He has an average match rating of 7/10 as Lille push for a Champions League spot in Ligue 1.
Most top Premier League clubs already have quality right-back options in place including West Ham’s alleged rival suitors Newcastle, Man United, Spurs and Villa.
So given the fact the Hammers could offer Santos the chance to be the club’s long-term number one right-back, it instantly gives the club an advantage.
Throw in the lure of London and Steidten’s ability to get deals done and this could very much be one to watch.
The pacy, modern full-back West Ham have needed for years
“Tiago Santos continues to be tracked by a handful of top Premier League clubs ahead of a potential summer transfer from Lille,” Jones reports.
“Santos is a modern day right-back in the sense he loves to attack but also understands his defensive responsibilities and can be adaptable in the role…
“Villa are among the sides while Manchester United and Newcastle have made checks and Tottenham and West Ham are understood to hold interest.”
Interestingly the report mentions the fact Santos’ manager Paulo Fonseca is a potential candidate to take over from David Moyes at the London Stadium.
Santos seriously impressed in a 2-1 defeat to Villa in the Europa Conference League first leg last week.
And he will come up against Unai Emery’s side again this Thursday night.
Let’s hope he’s coming up against them again next season, but in a West Ham shirt.
You can get an idea of what Santos could bring to the Hammers in the obligatory YouTube video below.