Westham United season best described a mixed bag, as Moyes eyes £22m defender..

West Ham United, amidst a season characterized by both European success and domestic challenges, is now focusing on bolstering its defensive line under the direction of David Sullivan. Despite holding a respectable seventh position in the Premier League standings, the Hammers have struggled defensively, conceding a significant number of goals, which contrasts sharply with their solid performance in European competitions.

In an effort to address these defensive shortcomings, West Ham has set its sights on acquiring talent during the upcoming transfer window. While initially targeting a deal for experienced Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire to reinforce their central defense, the club is now also exploring options for strengthening their full-back position.

Recent reports from the Italian press suggest that West Ham has expressed interest in Torino’s Raoul Bellanova, joining the likes of Manchester United and Aston Villa in monitoring the player’s performance. Bellanova, who recently earned his first call-up to the Italian national team, is a promising talent, having spent the previous season on loan at Inter and making a notable appearance in the Champions League final against Manchester City.

Having secured Bellanova’s services from Cagliari last summer for £6 million, Torino is now reportedly seeking a significant fee of at least £22 million for the versatile full-back. Bellanova’s impressive statistics in Serie A, particularly in terms of assists, successful take-ons, progressive carries, and aerial duels won, underscore his potential value to a team like West Ham, which emphasizes crossing and set-piece goals.

Given the impending expiration of contracts for current right-backs Vladimir Coufal and Ben Johnson, acquiring a young and talented defender like Bellanova, who can seamlessly integrate into the starting lineup, would represent a prudent move for West Ham as they seek to address their defensive vulnerabilities and achieve greater consistency in their performances.