Exclusive: West Ham turn attention to Rangers star, £8m+ may seal deal

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Published on:

22 Dec 2020, 2:30 am

Rangers defender Borna Barisic is being eyed by West Ham ahead of the January window, Football Insider understands.

The Premier League club are in the market for a new left-back as they look to provide cover and competition for Aaron Cresswell.

Arthur Masuaku underwent knee surgery this month and is facing an extended spell on the sidelines in what is a major blow to David Moyes' side.

Hi everyone, I hope you are all good.

I've just had a knee surgery to help me remove the pain that’s been bothering me for nearly 2 years now. It's been a very difficult decision to make but for my good being and the rest of my career I have to make it. pic.twitter.com/HXPJt0eYEI
— Arthur Masuaku (@ArthurMasuaku) December 12, 2020

The Londoners want a top-quality left-back capable of slotting into the first team.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Barisic is on the radar of the Hammers after shining at Ibrox over the last 18 months.

West Ham are looking at multiple potential left-back options ahead of January as well as next summer.

Barisic, 28, moved to Glasgow in the summer of 2018 for over £2m and, after a mixed first campaign, has been instrumental in Rangers' resurgence under Steven Gerrard.

The Croatia international is renowned for his expert crossing and set-piece delivery, with his 88 Rangers appearances yielding four goals and a remarkable 28 assists.

Ten of those assists have come from his 26 matches this season, with the full-backs essential to creating goals in Gerrard's side.

Barisic was the subject of interest from Leeds United over the summer, but Rangers' £8m-plus price tag put them off.

West Ham's recruitment has been much-improved in the last two windows, with Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and Jarrod Bowen establishing themselves as key members of the side.

In other news, preliminary talks are underway as Rangers line up pre-contract offer.

West Ham United

Rangers