Malick Thiaw linked with January move to West Ham or Chelsea

West Ham and Chelsea are both contemplating a move to sign 22-year-old Germany international centre-back Malick Thiaw, currently playing in Serie A for AC Milan after two successful seasons in the Bundesliga with Schalke 04. The 22-year-old 6-foot-4 defender is seen as a hot prospect for the future at Chelsea, meanwhile West Ham want to sign Thiaw and put him straight into the club's starting XI.

Thiaw arrived at AC Milan for a fee of only 7 million euros in 2022, and his value has since skyrocketed after a number of impressive displays at the San Siro. What has interested the Hammers first and foremost is that Thiaw is a very versatile young player, comfortable in the centre of defence or playing at right-back, whilst he has also been deployed as a defensive midfielder in the past.

Chelsea have spent big on transfers in recent months, but the Blues want Thiaw to compete with their current first choice defenders and eventually replace Thiago Silva in the club's central defence.

A deal is possible before the January transfer window, but talks with the player's representatives have only just begun.