West Ham make contact over £25m ace who’s been compared to Koulibaly – report

Sat 8 January 2022 10:21, UK

West Ham United have joined Newcastle and Wolves in pursuing Benoit Badiashile, according to .

The Hammers are in need of bolstering their defensive ranks in the January transfer window.

West Ham were looking for reinforcements even before injuries to Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma.

Although Zouma is “” in his recovery, he’s still not expected back before February.

Foot Mercato has reported that West Ham have contacted Badiashile’s representatives as well as Monaco.

As well as the Hammers, Newcastle have done the same, added the report.

The French outlet also “confirmed” L’Equipe’s report claiming Wolves made a 30m euro (£25million) bid for Badiashile.

Can West Ham beat Newcastle and Wolves to the “new Raphael Varane”?

The 6ft 4in defender came through the ranks at the Stade Louis II and made his breakthrough in 2019-20.

Badiashile has made 104 appearances for Monaco, including 19 in all competitions this season.

wrote in 2019: “Comparisons could be made with someone like Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli, one of Europe’s best ball-playing centre-backs.

“In the way Badiashile commands the defence at the back but is also capable of distributing the ball calmly and with great accuracy when needed.”

And last year, Spanish outlet said Badiashile was like “a new Raphael Varane”.