It seems that the possible departure of Dimitri Payet has done the trick for West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic. Since the announcement, the Hammers have not only won their matches but have also been spot on in their transfer targets in the ongoing transfer window.
After a farcical transfer window last summer, where Bilic could manage only average players that mostly turned out to flops in the first half of the season, the Croat has got his cards right in the winter. In Jose Fonte and Robert Snodgrass, Bilic has two of the top players in their respective positions, who are not only experienced but also in great form.
The Hammers have won their last two league games and are now closing in on the Europa qualifications spot again. Even players like Feghouli, who have been almost non-functional so far, have suddenly started firing in goals.
However, one of the biggest concern for the Hammers this season has been their shaky defence. The London side have conceded 36 goals this season and in a way, are extremely lucky to still sit in the top half of the table. The crisis has more been noticed in the full back positions. With Alvaro Arbeloa and Arthur Masuaku out with injuries, Bilic is actively searching for a side-back as his latest addition.
And as per reports, West Ham United are in talks with Fenerbahce over a move for their left-back Hasan Ali Kaldirim. With the transfer window scheduled to be close on Tuesday, there is immense urgency and Yahoo Sports claim that the club is in talks with Kaldirim’s agent.
Kaldirim is out of contract at Fenerbahce at the end of the season and does not want to renew his deal in Turkey. Hence, West Ham could possibly snap him up for a nominal fee. It is not just a panic buy as the Hammers boss knows the player quite well since his managerial stint at Fenerbahce’s league rivals Besiktas.
Kaldirim joined Fenerbahce from Kayserispor in 2012 for around £5.7m. A youth product of TuS Koblenz U17, Kaldirim came up the ranks of FC Kaiserslautern II, FSV Mainz 05 II and Kayserispor before moving to Fenerbahce in 2012.
The 27-year-old got an all-important assist in Fenerbahce’s Europa campaign. A natural left-back by nature, he can also play well on the right flank. Kaldirim has 16 international caps for Turkey to date. However, West Ham will reportedly face competition from Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic in landing the Turkish international.
