Why Cedric Kipre to West Ham would bolster their defence
According to Daily Mail, West Ham have made an enquiry over the potential signing of Wigan Athletic star Cedric Kipre ahead of the summer transfer window.
Kipre, 23, had spent time with the academies of Paris Saint-Germain and Leicester City before featuring for the latter’s reserve side. However, he could not break into the Foxes’ senior set-up and left the King Power Stadium to join Motherwell FC in Scotland after a successful trial.
A year later, he was snapped up by Wigan and since then, he has gone on to establish himself as a key figure in the heart of the Latics’ defence.
He has been in scintillating form in the last couple of seasons and with Wigan having gone into administration, the club could be forced to sell their best players including Kipre. But West Ham could face competition for the defender, who is also wanted by Watford, as per the report.
Kipre could be a good future signing for West Ham
David Moyes should strengthen his backline in the summer. At the moment, there are only three centre-backs available at Moyes’ disposal. Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna have been regular starters but they haven’t formed a strong partnership so far.
The other defender is Fabian Balbuena, who has been used as a substitute throughout the campaign. However, apart from them, there are no established centre-backs in the squad. Due to their inconsistency, the Hammers have already conceded 60 goals so far, which is the fourth-worst defensive record in the league. Thus, a central defender in the summer would be an ideal signing for the Hammers.
In that regard, signing Kipre would help them secure their backline for the future. The Frenchman has come a long way since moving out of Leicester City. He has been outstanding in the Championship in the last two years and his inclusion would be a boost to Moyes’ squad.
He would definitely add depth to the squad, whilst bringing healthy competition within the squad, given that he has proven himself in the Championship. With Ogbonna and Winston Reid, who just returned from a loan spell in the MLS, reaching the last phase of their careers, it would be wise of the manager to bring in Kipre and add to his defensive unit.
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Verdict
With limited quality at the back, it is clear that West Ham are in need of centre-backs. At the same time, Kipre has been consistent for Wigan. He could provide them with some much-needed depth and could go on to represent them in future if he is able to develop himself. Thus, the Hammers should lure Kipre to the London Stadium this summer.
