Journalist makes transfer claim involving West Ham and Fulham

West Ham United were targeting a centre-back during the January transfer window despite being unable to get one over the line, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke (via Give Me Sport) who believes Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo will be on their radar in the summer.

Angelo Ogbonna’s anterior cruciate ligament injury back in November sparked this search for a new central defender, with David Moyes’ side needing to cope not just with the domestic schedule, but also European football with the Hammers winning their Europa League group.

Despite needing reinforcements in several positions, including the forward position, the Premier League club were unable to secure any senior additions during the winter window and this has potentially left them with a lot of work to do in the summer.

Two potential moves that failed to materialise included Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry and Queens Park Rangers’ Rob Dickie, two centre-backs understood to be on their radar according to a Football League World exclusive back in November.

Back in the latter stages of December, the Ex-WHU employee identified Adarabioyo as one player they wanted to target after seeing Arsenal and Newcastle United register their interest in the ex-Manchester City man back in the summer.

He was reported to be open to leaving Craven Cottage at that point with the west London outfit suffering relegation back to the Championship, though it remains to be seen whether this stance will or has changed with Marco Silva’s men firm favourites to secure their return to the top-tier at the first time of asking.

Regardless of this, O’Rourke believes the 24-year-old will be on West Ham’s shortlist of potential recruits ahead of the summer window.

He said to Give Me Sport: “In January, they