Pundit cites Ben White signing after journalist’s ‘mega money’ West Ham defender update
Alex McLeish has claimed West Ham will have to pay a “Premier League fee” to sign Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth in the winter window.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 23-year-old could emulate Arsenal’s Ben White after impressing with his ball-playing ability in the Championship.
As reported by talkSPORT presenter and journalist Alex Crook today (30 December), Bournemouth would demand a “mega-money” offer to contemplate selling Kelly in January.
The Telegraph (26 December) claim the Cherries star is among David Moyes’ top targets as he looks to sign a new centre-back next month.
The Hammers need reinforcements at the back after serious injuries to Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma.
However, McLeish admitted West Ham would have to pay through the nose for Kelly.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Moyes and West Ham won’t take anybody lightly. They will have done all their homework on a potential centre-back.
“We have seen other young centre-backs leave their clubs to go to bigger clubs. Arsenal signing Ben White and other similar deals like that.
“I’ve seen a lot of really good players in the Championship at centre-back. Playing the ball out exactly the way that Premier League clubs would like them to.
“He’s one of the many good, young centre-backs in the Championship.
“Bournemouth will be seeing themselves as a potential Premier League team again. They’ll be going along these waters of: ‘We’re still a big club. We need to go back the Premier League fees we would have commanded before.’
“The fact they can do that shows the power they have in terms of the finances. They’re a team who look ready to go back to the Premier League with the way they’ve been playing in recent weeks.”
Kelly has played 98 times in the Championship for Bournemouth and Bristol City.
He also made 10 appearances for England’s under-21s.
In other news, pundit claims West Ham handed major boost after what he has heard from Moyes this week.