West Ham barge into race to sign Chelsea outcast

Tom Weber

• Updated: 10 Jan 2024 15:19 GMT
• 3 min read

West Ham have joined the race to sign Trevoh Chalobah, according to a report.

The Chelsea outcast has not played a single minute of football this term due to injury. However, Chalobah is expected to be fit to return to action later this month and this has put him back on the transfer map.

The versatile defensive player was already a sought-after commodity in the summer as the Blues were willing to cash in on their academy graduate despite him featuring heavily last term. Bayern and Nottingham Forest were said to be interested at the time, but a deal couldn't be struck before the window slammed shut.

In recent months, speculation about Chalobah's future had cooled, but the news of his recovery has seemingly burst the race to sign him wide open again. Bayern, after learning that he will be fit soon, reignited their interest recently and he remains an option, though the German giants appear to be focusing on Nordi Mukiele and Eric Dier instead.

West Ham join the race

Now, talkSPORT reports that West Ham also hold an interest in the defender, who can play centrally, on the right and in holding midfield. Having offloaded Thilo Kehrer to Monaco and with Nayef Aguerd at the Africa Cup of Nations (and being linked with a transfer), the Hammers are keen to add defensive reinforcements.

Indeed, FootballTransfers exclusively reported that, like Bayern, David Moyes' side have been eyeing Dier, too. Now, it seems they will also battle the Bavarians for Chalobah.

The above-mentioned report of the interest in the Chelsea man does acknowledge the fact that any move will likely depend on the future of Aguerd. The Moroccan has been a regular for the Hammers and is reportedly attracting Saudi Pro League attention. Though he is said to be happy in east London, the financial muscle of Saudi sides could prove alluring.