West Ham United are in all kinds of trouble at the moment and are expected to have the busiest winter transfer period among all the Premier League clubs. Although a striker is definitely one of their immediate needs after their summer recruit Simone Zaza has failed terribly in making any real impact, it is their defensive crisis, which is highly concerning for Slaven Bilic.
Almost all the defenders in the Hammers squad are out with injury leaving Bilic with little or no options for backup ahead of the hectic schedule. Sam Bryam is out with a hamstring injury, Reece Oxford with an ankle injury, Doneil Henry with a crucial ligament injury, James Collins with a hamstring injury, Arthur Masuaku with a knee injury and Alvaro Arbeloa with a leg injury.
Understandably, sources have exclusively told calciomercato.com that the Hammers are eyeing a move for former Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra. The Frenchman is apparently set to leave Juventus in January as he has been struggling to find a first team place among the solid defensive core at Turin and would look at options outside.
Unlike the start of the campaign, West Ham United are hardly looking at long-term options now. Their only aim now is to finish in the top half in a highly volatile Premier League table. And given Patrice Evra’s immense experience and achievements in the English top flight football, he could be a brilliant option for the season.
In his 9-year stint at Manchester United, he was a regular especially under Alex Ferguson’s management, where he played 273 matches scoring 7 goals and 33 assists in the Premier League. He was also a steady figure in their FA Cup and UEFA champions League campaigns. It doesn’t need arguing that a fit Evra would be immensely impactful for West Ham, who have hugely writhed at the back.
However, tussling with Manchester United will be a difficult task as Jose Mourinho is known admirer of the defender and would be happy to have him in his squad. Evra and Juventus will take a decision on the player’s future before the end of next week, sources have told calciomercato.com.
A move to Old Trafford is also a high possibility because the Old Lady are said to be interested in United’s Matteo Darmian and swap deal might be on the cards. With Inter Milan also interested in the player, Juventus might be tempted to make an early move.
