David Raum: West Ham stalwart learns fate with German assist king on the cusp of breakthrough transfer

Aaron Cresswell can breathe a sigh of relief after a trusted source revealed West Ham target David Raum is on the move, though not to the Hammers.

Raum, 24, is in the midst of a rapid rise in his native Germany. Just 12 months ago Raum was playing for Greuther Furth in the Bundesliga 2. He joined top flight side Hoffenheim as a free agent last summer and 12 months on, is now Germany’s starting left-back.

That turnaround came via a series of stellar displays at Hoffenheim. Indeed, Raum played primarily at left-back last season, yet notched an incredible three goals and 13 assists in just 33 appearances.

That led to a plethora of clubs from within Germany and beyond taking note. David Moyes’ West Ham were one, according to the Times.

The Hammers were reported to have opened talks with Hoffenheim who were demanding around £33m for Raum. A deal in that range would’ve made him West Ham’s third most expensive signing ever behind Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, it is RB Leipzig that have stolen a march. What’s more, a deal is practically all but confirmed.

Romano tweeted Leipzig are in ‘advanced talks’ over the signing of Raum and negotiations are at the ‘final stages’.

The trusted journalist claimed it’s a case of ‘here we go soon’, with the deal poised to be officially announced in a matter of days.

Romano reaffirmed there was widespread interest in David Raum, though it is Leipzig who have emerged the victors.

The move will represent a breakthrough for Raum who within the space of two years will have gone from playing in the German second tier to gracing the Champions League at Leipzig.

It will also come as something of a relief to current No 1 left-back Aaron Cresswell. The Times