West Ham insider ExWHUemployee has confirmed that the Hammers may consider trying to sign Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot on loan this summer.
The Portuguese defender has struggled with his fitness since arriving from Porto and is firmly behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Some fans on Twitter think a move for Dalot would reduce Ben Johnson‘s game time while others feel he would be a decent signing:
Is the club seriously that broke
— James (@essexhammerjb) July 24, 2020
Wouldn’t mind Dalot on loan with an option to buy as long as his wages aren’t crazy, can play LB & RB flexibility & provides pressure for positions
— Ryan Smith (@RSSmith94) July 24, 2020
‘Next level’ loan deals as usual! Nothing ever changes ?
— Chris Kyne (@chris_kyne) July 24, 2020
Dalot would be a good move especially if we have Johnson and Fredericks too. Takes be pressure of Johnson and let him settle in a bit more.
— Adam Leatherbarrow (@ADAMC1R) July 24, 2020
Ah Sullivan's loans are back on the table. I think our transfer policy will have more to do with the owners making the books look rosie for any potential buyer rather than any football considerations.
— Bob Collison (@collison_bob) July 24, 2020
I suspect loan deals will be preferred over sales wherever possible this window. All clubs are impacted by Covid-19 except maybe the top 6 ?
— ⚒️ Edgware Bubbles ⚒️ (@KillerHeels_UK) July 24, 2020
Dalot is terrible
— dannyboyz_999 (@999Dannyboyz) July 24, 2020
and Dalot can also play at Left Back if needed
he was excellent at Porto— Declan Rice Stan Account (@belikedinho) July 25, 2020
Loans are alright as long they are with an option to buy, we don't want to loan a player for them to go somewhere else after another club has seen how good they are.
— Stuart Dillon #GSBout (@StuartDillon1) July 24, 2020
Dalot’s injury record would be a major concern but with West Ham having a limited transfer budget, the 21-year-old could well be the cheapest option.
Other potential targets, such as Nottingham Forest’s Matty Cash, Barcelona’s Moussa Wague and Norwich’s Max Aarons would all cost transfer fees so that could make a bid for Dalot more attractive.
In terms of the Portuguese Under 21 international potentially limiting Johnson’s game time, that would very much depend on Ryan Fredericks. The 27-year-old has been on and off the treatment table this season.
