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West Ham now in talks to sign free agent with 150 Premier League appearances

Billy Meyers

Mon 2 September 2024 17:42, UK

West Ham are not done just yet when it comes to recruitment.

Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten – Director of Football at the London Stadium – worked tirelessly to transform the Hammers during the summer transfer window.

The east Londoners managed to sign Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman, Luis Guilherme, Guido Rodriguez, Wes Foderingham and Mohamadou Kante.

Now – however – West Ham are in talks to add more…

West Ham in talks to sign Joel Matip and John Egan

Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports has now revealed that West Ham are speaking to the representatives of both Joel Matip and John Egan as the Irons look to bolster their centre-back department.

Lopetegui is keen to sign at least one more central defender after Kurt Zouma was allowed to leave on loan to join Al-Orobah, while Nayef Aguerd was offloaded to Real Sociedad on loan.

Matip – who has Premier League appearances to his name, as well as one Premier League title, a UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup, one FA Cup, one Carabao Cup as well as a FIFA Club World Cup – has been unemployed since his contract with Liverpool expired at the end of last season.

In regards to Egan, the Republic of Ireland international has been without a club since his deal with Sheffield United expired at the same time, after amassing 224 appearances for the Blades.

Julen Lopetegui risks signing another injury prone option like Kurt Zouma

In our view, Egan would make more sense for West Ham, despite Matip possessing the stronger pedigree as a footballer.

The Irishman is only 31 – whereas the Cameroonian is 33 – and despite suffering a serious achilles injury in September 2023, has a cleaner injury history too.

Matip – who Xabi Alonso considered bringing to Bayer Leverkusen this summer – did not play for Liverpool from December onwards last season following a severe cruciate ligament tear, a serious injury which is tough for any player to battle back from, let alone someone aged 33, while he also suffered a number of niggling problems before this issue.

Signing Egan instead of Matip may also make more sense financially for West Ham.

The Irishman earned £30,000-a-week at Bramall Lane, whereas the Liverpool fan favourite was making £140,000-a-week at Anfield.

Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as West Ham could even end up signing both defenders.