West Ham’s hopes of signing Marseille centre-back Duje Caleta-Car appear to be fading after the Croatia defender turned down a move to east London.
The Hammers are working to bolster their defensive options for the current campaign, and had initially launched a £20m bid for the 24-year-old. The two clubs had apparently agreed on a transfer fee, but a last-gasp hurdle has emerged.
Caleta-Car has opted to stay with Marseille and not join West Ham / Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Information released by The Telegraph, confirmed 90 minutesnotes that Caleta-Car has decided against a switch to the Premier League, and will remain at Marseille – who are competing in this year’s Champions League.
The news of his decision to stay is a major blow for West Ham boss David Moyes, who is desperate to bring in some extra bodies ahead of the October 5 transfer deadline. The Scots have managed to sign full-back Vladimir Koffel from Slavia Prague in the past 48 hours, but midfielder Tomas Sucic is the only other permanent arrival of the summer.
The Irons are laboring down the barrel of another season of struggle, having already lost two of their opening three Premier League matches. Moyes has made it clear that the team needs new faces to maintain their place in the top flight, and owners David Gould and David Sullivan have done a lot to run the club.
David Moyes on the touchline for Emirates/IAN Walton/Getty Images
West Ham’s defensive problems must be resolved before Monday’s deadline, and Caleta Carr will have gone to some lengths to shore up a leaky backline. He helped Marseille finish second in Ligue 1 last year, securing their return to the Champions League.
The Hammers could be looking to sign Watford defender Craig Dawson instead, and will have more time to agree a deal for the Watford man, as there are 11 days between the EFL and Premier League deadlines. is an extension of