West Ham United have strengthened their squad with two high-quality attackers – Pablo Fornals and Sebastian Haller, as Manuel Pellegrini’s men will hope to challenge for a Europa League spot next season.
The Londoners are reportedly keen on adding more players and are interested in signing AS Monaco defender Djibril Sidibé.
French newspaper L’Équipe, via Get French Football News, have reported that the right-back has attracted interest from the Hammers. The Frenchman could be available for as low as €15 million.
Sidibe has been with Monaco since 2016, signing from Lille, and has become a good player for the side. The right-back’s contract with Monaco expires in three years’ time in 2022, having signed an extension to his contract in 2017.
The French international has made 113 appearances for Monaco since signing for them in 2016, scoring 6 goals and helping the club to the Ligue 1 title in 2016 in his first season with the club.
Sidibe was also a part of the French World Cup-winning squad, making one appearance in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Is Djibril Sidibe a good option for Pellegrini?
The interest shown by West Ham in signing Sidibe is not surprising even though West Ham already have two right-backs in their squad – Pablo Zabaleta and Ryan Fredericks.
Fredericks had a good 2018-19 season for the Hammers and made the right-back slot his own, while Zabaleta probably is coming to the end of his career. Sidibe could possibly replace Zabaleta in the squad as the 34-year-old had a very average season for the Premier League side.
Sidibe could be a very good option for Pellegrini as he is an all-round full-back who would fit very well in the former Manchester City manager’s system at West Ham.
The 26-year-old is a good dribbler of the ball, often getting in behind the opposition’s defence, while he is a very good crosser from wide areas as well.
Sidibe completed an average of 41.6 passes in Ligue 1 last year, while completing 30 key passes for the entire season.
He made a total of 50 tackles in 26 appearances last season and 49 clearances. Sidibe is very good defensively, while he can be useful in the final third with his crossing as well.
Pellegrini should sign him to replace Zabaleta in the side and add competition to the right-back spot.
