The Hammers have been active in the transfer window and are looking to add a defender of Nigerian descent to their squad
Per reports, Premier League campaigners West Ham have set their sights on signing Hertha Berlin defender Jordan Torunarigha.
According to Belgian news outlet Voetbal Nieuws, the Hammers have submitted an official bid for Torunarigha, intending to wrap up the deal shortly.
Torunarigha has been at Hertha Berlin since 2006, first as an eight-year-old schoolboy, before turning professional ten years later.
The 26-year-old left Hertha BSC for the first time in January, joining Belgian club Gent on a six-month loan deal.
Impressed with the defender’s quality, Gent reportedly offered Hertha two million euros plus bonuses for Torunarigha. But the Berliners laughed off the offer as nothing but five million euros on the table could convince them to part with the German youth international.
It is not clear yet how much West Ham are willing to pay for the center-half with 73 caps, five goals, and five assists in the Bundesliga.
Torunarigha’s Nigerian roots
Born in Chemnitz, Germany, 24 years ago, Torunarigha is the son of former Shooting Stars of Ibadan ace Ojokolo Torunarigha.
The strong tackler has featured for Germany at different youth levels, including for the Olympic Games team at the Rio Olympics. He is yet to make a senior appearance for the European country, though.
Former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr previously failed in his attempt to convince Torunarigha to play for his father’s country of birth.
There are, however, indications that the Hertha Berlin star may now be open to representing the three-time African champions.
