Journalist claims 6 ft 3 ace is "long-term" West Ham target, he models himself on Barcelona icon

Journalist Pete O’Rourke insists that Duje Caleta-Car has been a “long-term target” for West Ham United amid reports that they could launch a bid for the Croatia international this month.

The defender was previously linked with a potential move to the London Stadium in the summer.

The Croatian has been heavily linked with a potential exit from the French club in this transfer window.

The Daily Mail has reported that there is very real interest from the Hammers in securing his signature ahead of next week’s transfer deadline.

The London Evening Standard has reported that boss David Moyes is very keen to sign a new defender, as well as a striker, prior to the closure of the window.

Caleta-Car has emerged as a target, as a result, although reports suggest that the Hammers’ initial plan to take him on loan is not set to go anywhere, as Marseille are desperate to receive a big fee.

The Mail claims that he would cost £15m in this transfer window and that could be a fee that West Ham can meet in the next few days.

Wolves, Newcastle United, and Liverpool have also been linked with a possible move, per the report, and O’Rourke has now revealed that the Hammers have indeed had a long-standing interest in securing his signature.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, he said: "Caleta-Car has been a long-term target for Premier League clubs. West Ham and Newcastle have been mentioned."

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The 25-year-old has some very strange statistical numbers.

Per fbref, he just isn’t a very good defender.

He is in the bottom 25 per cent of defenders across Europe’s top five leagues when it comes to pressures, blocks, interceptions, tackles, clearances, and aerial duels won.

He is good at passing the ball, and he can