West Ham are trying to sign an unreal 6ft 5in unit who almost joined the club om the last deadline day according to L’Equipe.
West Ham are in the market for at least two new centre-backs this summer.
And a towering star the Hammers almost signed in the last window could be one of them.
New West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui reportedly made his biggest decision yet last week.
The Spaniard put captain Kurt Zouma up for sale. With Nayef Aguerd also up for sale and keen to leave, West Ham’s biggest priority is undoubtedly central defence.
Especially as Angelo Ogbonna has followed Thilo Kehrer out of the London Stadium exit door.
It’s hardly surprising Lopetegui is overhauling West Ham’s backline.
The Hammers shipped 74 goals last season – the most they’ve ever conceded in the club’s Premier League history.
West Ham hunting two new centre-backs
Hammers technical director Tim Steidten has made signing at least two centre halves a priority for Lopetegui.
And it seems a player the German wanted a few months ago is very much back on the radar.
Because West Ham are trying to sign an unreal 6ft 5in unit who almost joined last deadline day.
By enquiring about signing Le Havre’s brilliant young defensive star Etienne Kinkoue, Marseille unearthed the fact he almost joined West Ham on deadline day in January.
Steidten wanted the France youth international but saw a late £4.5m bid turned down.
Foot Mercato stated last month that West Ham remain interested in 22-year-old Kinkoue as they look for new defenders.
Now L’Equipe claim West Ham are pushing to sign Kinkoue as Le Havre prepare to lose key players.
West Ham trying to sign unreal 6ft 5in unit who almost joined
The report states Kinkoue is the asset most likely to leave.
West Ham’s problem is that Kinkoue is also wanted by Nottingham Forest.
While the Hammers would always be confident of beating Forest to a player, he used to play for Olympiacos – who are owned by Forest chief Evangelos Marinakis.
An unnamed German club are also said to be in the mix as L’Equipe doubled down on the fact West Ham tried to sign him in January.
“The London club already tried to attract the Frenchman last winter,” L’Equipe states.
“If the two names of these clubs have leaked, there is at least one other English club and a German in discussions to sign the player trained in Troyes. “
But what would Kinkoue bring to West Ham?
Le Havre star fits Steidten strategy perfectly
Kinkoue – full name Etienne Youte Kinkoue – is well known for his superb reading of the game and making interceptions as a result.
With his giant 6ft 5in frame, he’s a major threat from set pieces.
With size comes the obvious – power. But he does not dive rashly into tackles and has a very good habit of making defensive clearances.
The world’s leading football data experts WhoScored rate his passing and tackling as ‘weak’.
But Kinkoue has been a key player for Le Havre, helping them get promoted to Ligue 1 after joining in January 2023 and then ensuring they avoided relegation.
West Ham’s new recruitment strategy is clear. Steidten and Lopetegui want young, athletic, powerful players at a reasonable price before elite clubs move for them. Much like the Red Bull model.
Interestingly Kinkoue can also play in defensive midfield, making him an extremely versatile player for Lopetegui – which is another feature of the Steidten’s recruitment model.