According to a report from BBC, West Ham are interested in signing Fenerbahce captain Hasan Ali Kaldirim this summer.
The Turkey international, 29, has played in 226 games for Fenerbahce since joining from Kayserispor in 2012. The Germany-born left-back has 30 Turkey caps under his belt and is keen on a Premier League switch.
The left-back can leave for a cut-price fee of £4.42m as his contract expires in 12 months, the report adds.
After guiding the club to a top-10 finish in his debut campaign at the London Stadium, Manuel Pellegrini has already started reshaping his squad.
West Ham have already released the likes of Samir Nasri, Andy Carroll and Adrian, while Edimilson Fernandes has left for Bundesliga side Mainz, and Lucas Perez has joined La Liga outfit Alaves.
The Hammers have added three players, including exciting Spanish youngster Pablo Fornals. There has been the promise of more to come as Pellegrini bids to secure a place in Europe next year.
Having added more pace and creativity to the attacking ranks with the addition of Fornals, the West Ham boss must shift his focus towards shoring up his defence, especially the left-back department.
Pellegrini currently has two options at left-back – Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku. Cresswell, a former England international, showed his best form in the second half of last season and could start the 2019/20 campaign as Pellegrini’s first-choice in that position.
However, he needs stiff competition and Masuaku, as good as he is going forward, the Congo international has been defensively suspect since arriving at West Ham.
A player like Hasan Ali Kaldirim would be a great fit at the London Stadium. The Turkish defender has proven to be a genuine threat at left-back in the last couple of seasons at Fenerbahce, regularly contributing with assists and goals.
His lack of Premier League experience could be a worry but the way Kaldirim handled Kylian Mbappe in Turkey’s shock victory over France in the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign earlier this month showed he’s defensively excellent as well.
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At 29, the Germany-born left-back still has some years to offer at the highest level. With the player keen on the move, West Ham should take a low-cost punt on Kaldirim. For less than £5m, he might provide a solution at left-back.
If the Hammers manage to sign Kaldirim from Fenerbahce, it’s certain that either of Cresswell or Masuaku would be shown the door by Pellegrini.
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