West Ham are implementing the Red Bull model quite literally with a move for one of their star players according to reports.
David Moyes did an absolutely tremendous job at West Ham. In both spells.
But for all his many successes with West Ham, the current state of the squad is perhaps Moyes’ biggest failure.
When he returned to the London Stadium, the Scot pledged to build a new-look West Ham around young, hungry talent having studied the Red Bull model closely during his time out of the game.
It was a prospect that excited West Ham fans sick of seeing the club sign over-the-hill stars – usually on big money.
But – whether entirely Moyes’ fault or not – it proved to be nothing more than lip service with Jarrod Bowen as good as it got on that score.
Julen Lopetegui takes on the smallest and second oldest squad in the Premier League.
And West Ham have been left in a position where yet another big turnover of players is required in a major rebuild.
Steidten and Lopetegui have clear strategy for overhaul
As many as eight new signings are being targeted by technical director Tim Steidten and Lopetegui.
The first of those is already in the door in the shape of Luis Guilherme. And that is a clear sign of the strategy in place – getting young, exciting talent before they are properly on the radar of the elite.
Otherwise known as the Red Bull model.
That comes with an obvious element of risk of course. But that is where you place faith in the likes of Steidten, Lopetegui and their knowledge, judgement and scouting network.
Among the many positions West Ham need to strengthen is central defence.
Lopetegui has reportedly decided he wants captain Kurt Zouma sold. Nayef Aguerd wants out too and is up for sale.
With Angelo Ogbonna following Thilo Kehrer out of the Hammers exit, it means West Ham must sign at least two new starting quality centre-backs.
Now it seems West Ham are implementing the Red Bull model quite literally with a move for one of their stars.
West Ham implement Red Bull model quite literally with move
Another feature of West Ham’s transfer strategy – based on reported targets – is that Steidten seems to be targeting players between the age of 18 and 25, many of whom are entering the final year of their contracts.
Thus making them more affordable and more likely to fit into West Ham’s budget of around £13-20m per signing – depending on further player sales.
So we should perhaps take particular interest in a report out of France that West Ham want to sign 24-year-old centre-back Oumar Solet from Red Bull Salzburg.
Not only because the Hammers are desperate for new centre halves. Or the fact Frenchman Solet is 24 and an athletic, powerful player.
But because he is going into the final year of his contract and is up for sale as a result.
That’s according to RMC Sport and GFFN who state the former Lyon star is very much wanted by West Ham this summer.
West Ham hopes look bright for bargain Solet
West Ham’s problem is that Man United and Liverpool are also being linked – as are Bayer Leverkusen and Dortmund.
However, what those clubs can’t offer Solet – which West Ham certainly can – is being a guaranteed starter.
Better still, the reports state that Solet wants to move to the Premier League – where West Ham also have the London factor as an ace up their sleeve.
Here’s what the 6ft 4in star had to say about a move to the English top flight last season.
He said: “I like the Premier League. It’s a championship with a lot of intensity and I like that. I find that my physical qualities, my size, my speed and the fact that I am tough in duels mean that I could see myself there. It is one of the best championships in the world.”
Even better still for West Ham is that the reports claim Red Bull Salzburg are ‘expected to allow Solet to leave should they receive an offer between €12-15m (£8-12m).
That’s exactly the market the Hammers and Steidten are shopping in so this could well be one to watch.
You can check out what Solet would bring to West Ham in the video below.