West Ham United face a battle with West Bromwich Albion and Zenit St. Petersburg for the signature of Basaksehir’s veteran defender Junior Caicara, according to The Sun.
Caicara is being lined up for a move to east London as David Moyes eyes potential successors for Pablo Zabaleta, after the Argentine’s decision to quit the Hammers left Ryan Fredericks as the Irons’ only senior right-back.
Moyes has identified his need for a new wide defender as a priority for the summer window, feeling that he cannot enter into the 2020/21 Premier League season without a suitable back-up option at the London Stadium.
West Ham would not be expected to face any difficulties in obtaining a work permit for Caicara to solve Moyes’ woes due to the 31-year-old holding a Bulgarian passport, and would only face paying around £3million to complete a deal.
Caicara is looking to secure his next challenge by leaving Turkish side Basaksehir this summer and fancies testing himself in the Premier League, much more so than joining Zenit and plying his trade in Russia.
Whether Moyes is indeed considering Caicara remains to be seen given the Sao Paulo, Brazil-born defender’s veteran status but the recently-turned 31-year-old would offer a wealth of experience in a role West Ham are threadbare in.
Would you sign 31-y/o Junior Caicara for £3m?
Yes
No
Caicara played 97% of the minutes available to him during the recently concluded Super Lig campaign, with the former FC Schalke 04 defender starting all 33 of his top-flight outings and only sitting out the one game as a result of an injury.
He was also never brought off before the full-time whistle in any competition where he played a game, having played all nine available Europa League fixtures on route to the Last 16.
The Brazil-born Bulgaria-national becoming an alleged target for West Ham also makes sense given his desire to test himself in England, plus the Irons being touted as potential suitors for Sheffield United target Matty Cash who Nottingham Forest reportedly value at £15million.
