David Moyes given renewed hope of Duje Caleta-Car move as Marseille transfer list £17m West Ham United target

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According to La Provence, David Moyes has been given renewed hope of signing Duje Caleta-Car after Olympique de Marseille transfer listed the long-time West Ham United target.

Marseille are eager to cash-in on Caleta-Car in the upcoming off-season in order to try and protect manager Jorge Sampaoli from losing Boubacar Kamara, amid speculation linking the midfielder with a potential transfer to Liverpool (Calciomercato).

The Ligue 1 giants are expected to make Caleta-Car available for a summer move away from the Orange Velodrome for just £17million, and it is likely that his next destination will be a club in England following prior interest from the Premier League.

West Ham are among the clutch of clubs to have previously explored a deal to sign the centre-back, with it suggested that the Hammers were knocked back after lodging an approach during the January transfer window.

Reports by The Sun also touted the London Stadium as a potential destination last summer, when it was thought the Irons had submitted a £25m bid after Moyes identified the 24-year-old as the man to strengthen his backline.

West Ham were even claimed to have offered Caleta-Car a £150,000-per-week contract to accept a move to the Premier League, while RMC Sport also linked Liverpool with a €23m (£19.7m) offer in January but Marseille refused to part with the Croatian at the time.

Caleta-Car later described it as an ‘honour’ (Sky Sports) that Liverpool were interested in his services, but stated that it was a mutual decision with Les Phoceens to remain in Ligue 1.

TBR’s view:

Caleta-Car’s relationship with Marseille no longer appears as strong as it was in the winter, in a boost for Moyes with a potential split offering the West Ham boss renewed hope of signing the 6 ft 3 enforcer he dreamt of having in his backline.

It remains to be seen if Moyes is still as interested in the 12-cap enforcer as he was last year, but may look to strike a deal with Les Phoceens lowering their asking price as it would allow the Irons to add fresh legs to a unit that features Angelo Ogbonna – who turns 33 later this month – and 31-year-old Craig Dawson.

Caleta-Car has also been backed to only get better by his compatriot Dejan Lovren, who told La Provence in October: “Duje could easily play in England. He is physically very strong, stronger than other players. He will explode in a few years and become even stronger.”