According to reports in The Sun, West Ham United are battling with Premier League rivals Everton for the signing of Augsburg centre-back Martin Hinteregger.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Sun says that the Irons want to bring the highly-rated Austria international to England, but they face competition to get the 25-year-old – rated at £13m by his club – with the Toffees and Italian giants Inter Milan among the interested clubs.
The Sun says that Augsburg will fight to keep hold of the left-sided central defender as they view him as one of their prized assets, but they will be aware that the east London outfit often sent scouts to watch the 31-cap international in action during the 2017/18 campaign.
The report adds that Manuel Pellegrini still wants another centre-back despite already signing Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena this summer, with James Collins and Jose Fonte both leaving in recent months and the long-term fitness of Winston Reid unclear as he continues to be hampered by injury issues.
Would he be a good signing?
He certainly would be.
Despite only being 25 years of age he is hugely experienced both domestically and internationally, making almost 300 senior appearances at club level.
According to WhoScored.com, he is strong in the air while he showed how good he is at intercepting by winning 49 in 30 Bundesliga outings last term.
While Pellegrini, who has been urged to snap up a £60,000-a-week Chelsea ace by Hammers fans, has already brought the likes of Felipe Anderson and Jack Wilshere to the London Stadium, Hinteregger could be his most important addition given West Ham’s defensive issues last season – they finished the campaign with the joint-worst record for conceding in the Premier League.
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