Why West Ham should take a gamble on Sead Kolasinac

According to Daily Mail, West Ham are interested in signing Arsenal star Sead Kolasinac this summer in a bid to bolster their backline. He currently earns £87,500-a-week at the Emirates.

The report suggests that the Hammers are focused on bringing in new players rather than letting go of any of their key players. And West Ham boss David Moyes has targeted a full-back and a centre-back as the reinforcements to be signed before the transfer window closes.

Profile

Born in Germany, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international started his journey with Karlsruhe before rising through the youth ranks of Hoffenheim and Stuttgart. He then moved to Schalke in the summer of 2012 and made 123 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit in five years.

The Bosnian’s impressive performance in his final season with Schalke earned him a move to Arsenal in the summer of 2017. He immediately established himself as a key member of the squad but injuries took a toll on his career and Kolasinac has now fallen down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.

However, he managed to feature regularly since the restart last season but his performances haven’t been up to the mark. He has just two more years left on his contract with the Gunners.

Kolasinac could provide depth to West Ham’s backline

At the moment, the Hammers have only two left-backs in their ranks. Aaron Cresswell is the first choice on the left side of the defence but his performance in the opening game against Newcastle United was below the standard. Arthur Masuaku has failed to establish himself since joining the club in 2016.

The Hammers’ defensive unit has been poor since the last season and they also conceded two unnecessary goals against the Magpies last weekend. And this shows they are in dire need of reinforcements at the back and a left-back is a must this summer.

In that regard, Kolasinac would be a viable option for the club. The Bosnian may not be at his best at the moment but he could come in handy for the manager. He has made over 300 career appearances and his experience would be a boost for the side.

The 27-year-old is also capable of operating in a central defensive role as a part of a back-three and he could provide depth to West Ham’s defence. And if he is able to keep himself away from injuries, he could be a useful player for Moyes.

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Verdict

With limited quality at the back, it is clear that West Ham are in need of defensive reinforcements. And taking a gamble on Kolasinac could prove to be a wise decision by the club. This move could also help the 27-year-old revive his career elsewhere.