West Ham United are reportedly looking into a potential January transfer for NK Istra defender Dario Maresic this month, according to Peter Linden.
The German journalist reported on his website on Wednesday (10 January) that the 24-year-old’s future will be decided in the next three and a half weeks as he could be set for the “career highlight” of a move to the Premier League.
Linden is represented by Universal Agency, who also represent Luka Modric, Emiliano Martinez and Alexander Isak and have a strong network of contacts in England and in particular the Premier League.
Should West Ham act upon their interest and complete a move for the defender this month, it would be a record sale for Istra as the Austrian joined the Croatian side on a permanent basis from Reims during the summer transfer window.
Defensive reinforcement
West Ham and David Moyes need more options at centre-back as currently, the Hammers are almost down to their bare bones. When everyone is fit and available they have plenty of defenders who are capable of shining in the Premier League, but that isn’t the case at the moment.
Kurt Zouma has shown that he is unable to play two games in a week without picking up an injury, while Nayef Aguerd had been linked with the London Stadium’s exit door before he jetted off to the African Cup of Nations.
Konstantinos Mavropanos and Angelo Ogbonna have impressed recently, but the Italian is getting older now and cannot be relied upon to play week in and week out. Maresic would help Moyes by adding an alternative option to his side for the remainder of the campaign.
The 24-year-old may not be as glamorous as some names linked with a switch to the London Stadium so far this season, but he has impressed so far this season and is an Austrian youth international. This could be a cheaper alternative for the Hammers and would be a handy mid-season addition.
