West Ham United have entered the race to sign AS Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile, who is a target for European giants like Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.
According to a report from Calciomercato, West Ham United have shown an interest in signing AS Monaco youngster Benoit Badiashile in the summer transfer window. However, the Hammers will face competition from Juventus and Borussia Dortmund for the defender.
Badiashile joined the AS Monaco youth setup in 2016 and made his first-team breakthrough in November 2018 at the age of 17. Since then, he has been a regular for the Principality outfit, making 113 appearances in which he has three goals and assists apiece. The captain of the French Under-21 national team, the centre-back has made great strides in the past few seasons.
Badiashile has been on the radars of clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham in the past, while Newcastle United made attempts to sign him in the January transfer window. No move materialised, though, as Monaco held firm. But with interest in the Frenchman mounting, a summer transfer could be on the horizon.
Indeed, giants like Juventus and Borussia Dortmund have taken an interest in Badiashile heading into the next season. And West Ham United have also joined the race to sign the defensive prodigy.
West Ham United have enjoyed another solid season under David Moyes and are in contention for a top-six finish while making it as far as the semi-finals in the UEFA Europa League. There is a very good chance that they will be playing in Europe again next season, and it is imperative that the Hammers have quality depth in all areas of the pitch.
The centre-back department could use some strengthening in the summer, considering Angelo Ogbonna’s contract is expiring in the summer. While West Ham might trigger a one-year extension option in his deal, the Italian is recovering from a serious knee injury and might not be at his best when he returns.
Furthermore, Issa Diop is being linked with an exit in the summer as well. So, it only makes sense for Moyes and West Ham to sign a new centre-back. Former target Nikola Milenkovic is back on the agenda at the London Stadium, while they have recently been linked with a move for Manchester United youngster Di’Shon Bernard.
Badiashile, too, has emerged as a transfer target for West Ham. Although with clubs like Juventus and Borussia Dortmund also involved in the race, it might get difficult for the east London giants to land the 21-year-old from Monaco.
