Moyes eyeing Adarabioyo, Aina
Moyes wanted to move for Adarabioyo in the summer window, as he aims to bolster his options at the back.
West Ham manager David Moyes who has worked with many Nigerian players including former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo wants to sign Nigeria born Tosin Adarabioyo and Super Eagles defender Ola Aina.
According to a report from club insiders Claret & Hugh, Moyes wanted to move for Adarabioyo in the summer window, as he aims to bolster his options at the back.
Coming through Manchester City’s academy, Adarabioyo completed a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers before signing for Championship outfit Fulham in a £1.5 million deal in 2020.
With the club topping the league, sitting six points ahead of Bournemouth, Adarabioyo has played a crucial part in the Cottagers’ success this season. The defender has started 26 of the 27 Championship games he’s been available for, with a suspension ruling him out for another three.
Adarabioyo leads his side in clearances made per game, where he averages 3.8 in the English second-tier, demonstrating his contribution to Fulham’s defensive triumphs.
The 24-year-old has been on the Irons’ radar for a couple of months, but with the Cottagers placed so strongly for promotion, Moyes would have been unable to land him in the winter window, without paying a ridiculous premium.
A former Man City academy graduate, Pep Guardiola has praised what the defender has gone on to do with Fulham. The Sky Blues boss believes the youngster is “an exceptional person and a good footballer.”
Former Blackburn teammate Darragh Lenihan couldn’t have spoken more positively about Adarabioyo too. During his loan with the club, Lenihan claimed that “he has all the attributes to play for Manchester City”, before the youngster was set to return and fight for his place at his parent club.
With his enormous 6 foot 5 stature, it is no wonder that Moyes is keen on bringing him to West Ham, given his fantastic form in the Championship this season and ability to dominate aerially in both boxes.
Also on Moyes shopping list is Super Eagles and Torino left-back Aina, who is out of contract in the summer of 2023, but he will compete for his signature with other clubs..
Aina, 25, initially joined Torino on loan in the summer of 2018 from Chelsea before a deal was made permanent. He has spent four years at the club, but last season, he went on loan to Fulham in their fight against the drop.
However, his long-term future at Torino looks in doubt. The Serie A side are yet to offer him a renewal and TMW said in January that the ex-Chelsea man had emerged as an option for Leeds. Torino want £9million.
Now, it appears Leeds will not be alone in their pursuit of the London-born flyer. Indeed, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Lille are all interested in Aina – along with Leeds and Torino are now willing to listen to offers.
Leeds have options on the left side of their defence in the form of Junior Firpo and Stuart Dallas. But the latter is often deployed elsewhere, and Firpo has been injury-plagued this season.
Indeed, he is a Marcelo Bielsa-type player in that he can play in numerous roles. Left-back, left wing, right-back, right-wing. West Ham lack strength in depth and with another European campaign next term, they need cover.
Palace also have options on the left but of the three clubs, Vieira’s men are likely to be the best option for Aina – if he is to break into a starting line-up.
