West Ham United

West Ham United

Premier League • England

West Ham emerge as threat to Leeds Utd for left-back target, with bargain January bid in pipeline

Raphael Guerreiro and Leroy Sane

Leeds United are not the only Premier League side looking at Borussia Dortmund defender Raphael Guerreiro, since he is now being linked with West Ham.

TEAMtalk exclusively revealed earlier this month that Leeds are planning an approach for Guerreiro in January. Left-back is a key area they want to reinforce, since Junior Firpo has struggled for form there.

Guerreiro is in the final year of his contract with Borussia Dortmund, so would be an affordable replacement. Since our exclusive, other sources have backed up Leeds’ interest in the Portugal international.

For example, a report from Jeunes Footeux has concluded that Leeds are indeed keen on Guerreiro. However, the French source focuses on a new contender for his signature: West Ham.

Emerson Palmieri joined David Moyes’ side from Chelsea in the summer. Even so, they are supposedly keen on finding another left-sided full-back.

Aaron Cresswell will be out of contract at the end of the season, by which time he will have turned 33 years old. Therefore, perhaps they are eyeing a replacement.

In that regard, Guerreiro could now be on their radar. And according to Jeunes Footeux, they want to join the bidding in January, rather than waiting until he becomes a free agent in the summer.

It is also claimed that Borussia Dortmund have tabled a renewal offer for the 28-year-old, but he now has two potential routes into the Premier League to consider.

Either Leeds or West Ham could tie him to a pre-contract agreement from January in view of next season. Both might have a more pressing need, though, which may encourage them to make a bargain bid in the winter.

Leeds and West Ham are 15th and 16th respectively in the Premier League table at the time of the World Cup break. Therefore, they both might need reinforcements midway through the season to help steer them clear of the relegation zone.

Should Guerreiro consider West Ham or Leeds?

Guerreiro was a member of the Portugal squad that won Euro 2016 and has gone to the 2022 World Cup. At club level, he has made more than 200 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, scoring 37 goals and adding 39 assists.

Therefore, he has good pedigree – and remains in form this season, with 18 appearances and three goals and assists each.

One advantage West Ham have over Leeds is the fact that they have European football on offer. Indeed, the club from the capital will be involved in the Europa Conference League knockout stage.

Guerreiro is used to a higher standard, having helped Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League round of 16 this season. But whether he is still at the club by the time that round begins is another matter.

Despite West Ham’s involvement in Europe, though, Leeds might be able to offer Guerreiro more guarantees of regular gametime due to Firpo’s struggles for consistency.

Hence, they might be the best pick. First of all, though, Guerreiro must decide whether he wants to see out the season in Germany or seek a January move.

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