West Ham United could be plotting to challenge a Premier League rival this January, in the pursuit of a top talent…
What’s the latest?
According to Tutto Udinese (via Sport Witness), the Hammers have joined Everton in their chase for Rodrigo Becao.
The Udinese centre-back has been of interest to the Toffees for some time, but now both clubs are said to be “always on alert” to sign the Brazilian.
A fee of around €20m (£17m) is touted in the report, although the Italian outfit will also push to renew his contract that expires in 2024.
Several clubs within Serie A are also interested, with Inter Milan being the most high-profile.
Imagine him & Zouma
Becao has earned huge praise for his domineering performances at the back for his club, having been a mainstay for the seventh-best defence in the division.
Perhaps placing the 6 foot 3 stalwart beside the blistering speed of Kurt Zouma could form a perfect partnership for David Moyes, who already earned a wealth of defensive talent following his summer of extensive recruitment.
Boasting a 7.10 average SofaScore rating for this season, the 26-year-old has proven himself a fine defender at the top level.
This season he is averaging a mammoth 3.0 tackles and 1.6 clearances per game, pairing it with a slightly more unimpressive 79% pass accuracy.
Should he make the move to east London, he would likely act as more of a stopper bedside the classier aforementioned Frenchman, who has averaged a far more impressive 86% pass accuracy.
This would be a role in which he’d surely thrive, as he was labelled “insurmountable” by journalist Bruno Quieroz.
However, he does outline himself as something of an attacking threat, which would certainly excite Moyes who has a well-documented love for set-piece goals.
Becao ranks in the top 6% for touches in the opposition penalty area and sits in the top 10% for non-penalty goals by centre-backs.
Alongside Zouma, these two could underpin the continued evolution of an Irons side that seems to improve with each year.
This signing would add yet another high-quality asset to the London Stadium, and also prove redemption after Everton snatched Amadou Onana from them in the summer.