"Talks will continue..": ExWHUemployee drops teasing update on late deal, GSB must act - opinion

West Ham United are in continued talks to secure a deal to bring Duje Caleta-Car to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

That’s according to a claim made by ExWHUemployee, who revealed in a recent post on The West Ham Way that Rob Newman and the Hammers transfer team are in continued negotiations with Olympique de Marseille regarding a deal to sign the centre-back prior to Monday’s transfer deadline.

The club insider goes on to state that the Ligue 1 side are demanding that the Irons pay a portion of the loan to buy fee up front as a result of their current financial situation, while West Ham would prefer to pay the potential transfer fee after the 25-year-old’s proposed loan spell at the London Stadium.

In his post, Ex said: “Talks have continued over persuading Marseille to accept a loan to buy deal for their defender Caleta-Car. It is not as close as French media report and a deal is not imminent as yet. Talks will continue today with Marseille really wanting the money up front due to their financial situation. It remains to be seen if either club will change their stance and whether a compromise can be reached.”

Considering just how poor West Ham’s strength in depth is in the heart of their defence, in addition to the fact that Caleta-Car is quite clearly an extremely talented player in the position, it would seem highly advisable for the Hammers board to pay the money that Marseille are demanding in order to get a deal over the line for the centre-back before Monday’s deadline.

Indeed, over his 11 Ligue 1 appearances this season, the £14.4m-rated defender has been in impressive form for the French side, helping them keep five clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 0.7 interceptions, 1.2